Hi VTBirders,
A large flock (~450) of gulls was congregating on the ice edge at Sandbar
State Park in Milton this afternoon. The size of the flock was estimated
counting by 10's while the whole flock was roosting, but gulls were
continuing to arrive throughout the ~90 min. count. My focus was on
identifying and documenting some of the "white-winged gulls" that were
present.
The flock was extremely distant but after careful observation via spotting
scope, I was able to ID 2 Glaucous and 1 Iceland Gulls (all juvenile). The
whole flock took flight several times, and it was then that these rarities
were most easily spotted. I was able to take a crude digiscoped video of
the Iceland that shows how these birds can disappear into the flock when at
rest, but the white wing tips pop out when in flight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQhoxZm_-CE&feature=youtu.be
Ebird checklist, along with a few terrible photos, available here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33828243
Good birding,
Larry Clarfeld
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