Checklist S120428709

Observations

1. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

   Number observed:  12

   Exotic: Naturalized

2. Eurasian Collared-Dove

   Number observed:  1

   Exotic: Naturalized

3. Common Ground Dove

   Number observed:  1

4. Mourning Dove

   Number observed:  7

5. Black-bellied Plover

   Number observed:  1

6. Killdeer

   Number observed:  2

7. Semipalmated Plover

   Number observed:  12

8. Piping Plover

   Number observed:  2

   Details

   Continuing birds. Small pale plovers with orange legs.

9. Ruddy Turnstone

   Number observed:  10

10. Sanderling

    Number observed:  15

11. Least Sandpiper

    Number observed:  2

12. Laughing Gull

    Number observed:  10

13. Franklin's Gull

    Number observed:  1

    Details

    This first-winter Franklin's Gull was first observed on the beach with other gulls. It was on the fringe of the flock and did not interact with the nearby Laughing Gulls. In the scope it appeared smaller than Laughing, had a fairly well defined half hood, broad white eye crescents, clean white underparts, and pale hind neck. Worthy of a closer examination, I was able to carefully approach the bird and obtain closer views and photos that confirmed this was a strong candidate for Franklin's Gull. Eventually flight photos of the clean white underwing and partially spread tail were obtained which helped to confirm the ID.
    
    Several key features in combination helped to confirm this Franklin's Gull ID:
    Direct size comparison with Laughing alongside showed this bird to be smaller overall. But when further apart, this size comparison was less reliable. The bill was much thinner, daintier looking, and less drooped than Laughing. Notably the bill depth was slightly less than the combined eye + eye crescent depth. By comparison on Laughing, the bill depth is greater than this combination. The dusky half hood was quite well defined compared to all the nearby Laughing Gulls and was darkest in front of the eye. This was emphasized by the pale gray hindneck which had a few brown juvenile feathers remaining on the nape. The underparts and flanks were clean white. Laughing in comparison show varying amounts of grayish-brown on the hindneck, breast and flanks. The upperparts were adult-like gray, with brownish-gray wing coverts, and broadly white edged tertials. Notably the primaries of the folded wing still show narrow white tips, which are often missing on Laughing. In flight, two key features were noted, including the clean white underwing coverts (mottled brownish in Laughing) and the grayish inner primaries (blackish in Laughing). It also showed a broad white trailing edge to the wing. Critically the all white outer tail feather was observed on the spread tail. The remaining rectrices showed a thin dark band near the tip, with pale gray base and narrow pale tips. In comparison Laughing shows a much broader dark tail band and is dark edged basally.

    Media

14. American Herring Gull

    Number observed:  2

15. Lesser Black-backed Gull

    Number observed:  7

16. Caspian Tern

    Number observed:  2

17. Sandwich Tern

    Number observed:  7

18. Royal Tern

    Number observed:  6

19. Magnificent Frigatebird

    Number observed:  3

20. Yellow-crowned Night Heron

    Number observed:  1

21. Snowy Egret

    Number observed:  1

22. Great Egret

    Number observed:  2

23. Great Blue Heron

    Number observed:  4

24. Brown Pelican

    Number observed:  10

25. Osprey

    Number observed:  4

26. Red-bellied Woodpecker

    Number observed:  2

27. Peregrine Falcon

    Number observed:  1

28. Blue Jay

    Number observed:  3

29. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

    Number observed:  2

30. European Starling

    Number observed:  1

    Exotic: Naturalized

31. Northern Mockingbird

    Number observed:  4

32. Common Grackle

    Number observed:  4

33. Boat-tailed Grackle

    Number observed:  2

34. Cape May Warbler

    Number observed:  2

35. Northern Parula

    Number observed:  1

36. Palm Warbler

    Number observed:  2

37. Northern Cardinal

    Number observed:  4