I was able to spend a few hours yesterday afternoon at a landfill in the Research Triangle area of NC. Birds numbered in the thousands, dominated by Ring-bills. There were several hundred Herrings scattered through the masses, as well as a healthy number of Lesser Black-backed and a handful of Great Black-backed Gulls. The highlight came in the form of two first cycle GLAUCOUS x HERRING GULL hybrids.
The first bird was a beautiful, subtle milky brown color, sporting brown primaries with thin white fringes. A large bird with a Glaucous-like structure and bill pattern.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBBCKxKTX0qMXuCdgqs0_StrPooLMGbfzo5RefR4Xqf9I4bMTxS2DdGUYUWMgWYr5UGdBvksdXVDeHPOTIEWPr4m21DvDvPWd_OqfGaru3neNHu-ACqQMg_kuL9EZb2DSvM2i1dYl6bI/s400/IMG_3550_filtered+copy.jpg) |
sleeping |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSOprSMGl9skUbkwNLnZN4a088Hl_D5iKyYHYuqN5XaKqzrGXHWdUol-zNJ6a-aKRgLkGhWbaqLDvauuCLrqHmArXR_5yoRjfxvYag__vSw27IPWOGJQmJSa2buprgbfSdYRPwXaUVdA/s400/IMG_3593_filtered+copy.jpg) |
Flanked by young Herring Gulls. A lucky shot, note the pure white-winged bird with stretched wing to its right. More on that one below. |
The second GLGUxHERG was more Glaucous-like in body plumage. In fact, when I first saw the bird from just the neck up, I thought I had found a Glauc. But it was easily ID'd as another hybrid by those brown primaries and tail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QfpVemXWNNim3UvyFnIfA7s4RV-YNRv3mlQkUWkk9YWxqPVqKBvh5Ji1mATP1GOT_6gQOyn5L2AykFHF8UAvDQjnPxKC5P2pJT5K4pNc22keLfZ8ibB8cIWR5YHQEekdXSI82nhR_tQ/s400/IMG_4016_filtered+copy.jpg) |
vaguely reminiscent of a faded Thayer's Gull in this shot |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa6OUsklfmzdwPT8poiXVtc2vJWu5dvvyp7u4BK-n2FjsApurxI-Xzae9NxwoFwPCodQqwoGrnXkyRMDRHhaHB0TZ_GRzc7L9ehHnmzh0Cy7lIIdbdGiRv5x6nmc_wiDLnhXlo8i3YO0/s400/IMG_4055_filtered.jpg) |
dwarfing the first cycle LBBG (to the right, facing the same direction) |
For comparison, here is a "white-winged" gull that appears to be a leucistic Herring Gull. The snow white primaries and overall white body plumage suggest a white-winged gull such as Glaucous, but the bird's size and structure seem spot-on for Herring. Also, note the dark brown tail and seemingly randomly placed pigment in some of the upperpart feathers including the tertials. It's not easy to age a bird like this, but given its slightly paling eye, thick black ring on the bill, and other features such as an apparently dark tail and barred undertail coverts, I would guess the bird is in its second cycle or thereabouts.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02-pdYhjATm7UxXdiVSwKDXR-AvHE5lezbjSKrR7mhys8nYw_aSyulwt4Y8QhrB_6wEllwxJDZKJNP4JQ6OSslDNcRaQqarDxhpwDkoxwknrmqDHjimNU6_xCHK803f1ZonxqCvLwFoM/s400/IMG_3593_filtered+copy.jpg) |
This was meant to be a photo of the hybrid GLGUxHERG (center), but note the leucistic Herring (center right) with its wing outstretched, revealing snow white primaries. |
The number of Lesser Black-backs was impressive, with a one-time count of 22 in view at once. I picked that moment randomly, and it was my only count. Who knows how many were there...30, 40, more? A repeated, dedicated count, especially by age class, would reveal a more accurate (and higher!) number.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l65sSwAhWLqttzPe9LLkdE3INkXHbrhFjfnFvIuBdd2sD7kfAB7wwXAP7lC-bCsxmxrT5gjSYRt35t86o88axWe4fWlu6j_ER7b7mAbPSgCcTJ_oZ3eTWentz7OLAgKcI9k2muLtxZY/s400/IMG_3768_filtered+copy.jpg) |
4th cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8rMxhV3kiUU-iWC0ZAcBlbgV1zG2-PINYAZ21MGaeCudii_liiisDGLGVEqZOuhvqrtui1anjOYhVFOc072mvMHlW4O1iNrFU1ZXNIP-OPOggdere-wqurTTEsW9fo_ooEhqA6_u-N8/s400/IMG_3835_filtered+copy.jpg) |
4th cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlabasZUXlgnX0LiGSndd9DpS0McrFHL-LL5U0e7unKQfK4HR8ERTFTfub8OLGP4FAzpmqZBh_xRAinKrsaWbCrcGz4e9WdoON1LJFU63dxHL0bZU9emWgeU_GoSHFBAEY5hqBCDcOcI/s400/IMG_3827_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle...looks delicious |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-eELC5vq3s1BGMAF-KxEF0UnrY5tOoIfwpw9cV49ZCH-Yd6gydemPtIHCE3sejHTnfhg9SI5FlrAvGwFRMSk52rqm_6W2F-A7xG_ZYc7ayfwODwpzbEFJmIY0tg_wcxg9JJqIq56T7s/s400/IMG_3988_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7bCnkMk2q8cODc2hAKOaAZr8JhHmO9OJ5ebRTiRboIxVZ4otYN2AUqv0HGTRi68FPLmpHKmu9Vyjr-u6J8ezA3WTgHbvt1ioH8KK2rurm3oC2fFuqx4nMzZA3CYi910F4KAgtQ8VVZs/s400/IMG_3445_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglafxj1OSORRsdhXXVH-qbOc14CTiWYao2Gi7_YcwPBAX2Qw9vwP20x_BmKEnc_Y_jMThqoK1BI-y7xj5GPzI9-vo_Ce8sfxkjL3vd1_8acStv6vIMcE8xBayzJX-02WDW-3dEwGMEmk4/s400/IMG_3457_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle LBBG (right) next to first cycle Herring (left) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbkHv25YwcP8DzvZTt7ANFz72Cx1O2x5CAsymf6kn6F093fsoX8a_yLo42IWRSzO3JBfrcUvEFNE1d8_zrYQgBuM6FBYuVNlYB93Nhn2aTu8eLWymwQWO6ixP9gBbBv1ZJqvtR1925ng/s400/IMG_3683_filtered+copy.jpg) |
adult |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAW4lZvASFzF0bneI3Cw1f2N4OeO3jtbL00JJ0Ri5A2i6g2WM8a5QxUw43Ch0whyphenhyphensBoW1a-mwv-7i0LB_bq8iqX22-4uQPa1Kct9VM-PPJGtXnm8l2AfxM3ytMTX4E-ae4kTJ7NPurZw/s400/IMG_3616_filtered+copy.jpg) |
adult |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VsdCeUg4T9paSwvKQxAGVPRx3oL1F1ashco_HvUIDcebPF4S10FSOEOnDpiCNmJlKYew5tQJxLeC0oYZHn_JZ3xJ9cAlIcNHVWV0gwNlwRX9F3mmvtJYS3OHGhw24EAIb9DUWrmq8VE/s400/IMG_3433_filtered+copy.jpg) |
second or third cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhc_ulogcRY52VVqvubJ8rKF8ZZLN0uwTcxZReCB1tpBg8bJJDM2YGqn6yUA3AbK3HvtdDBz5hdeHwmbglEgHa4a1GPvRNxtnwdY5Ms0cO5NvHbYaL5EjZCH3nlLf2HmIJ-x9B9yV08I/s400/IMG_3436_filtered+copy.jpg) |
advanced first cycle or delayed second |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_6VmTG8tRUA8Adb58Pb2PmVKrdYhZ2oIOyXw6b-8fbk9-asdTtmhp-ujlQlwFiABLRvn83-w37VNdIgWo_U0yVBlgVSbhJE6cHvExtc-zeNs2kDQWx6n091vmPYe4YJ_W3XWpC80Oaw/s400/IMG_3466_filtered+copy.jpg) |
adult |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK_b874_VckhmAU5vMI8_JuHndN5tg4zUDChx0WKcrC3vKqdaD1JsoArx4B_UUrQCjQisrl7pr0yX4RC5bFc-J66aDCt7PIUUIhfYEZRsGFxo6oiE-7CFfEapavrqIfJEVdUkO1CjdyE/s400/IMG_3753_filtered+copy.jpg) |
adult (the darkest adult of the day) |
Not terribly exciting to someone from Connecticut, the "rarest" species of the day was Great Black-backed Gull, with at least 5 being seen (adult, second cycle, and 3 first cycles).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe4K5rMHAy7MW2TXmU46ca_JgDk-SXh7oB0RMKlotG_d8D_oi-ys4XLgnZv7oAfAG0hyphenhyphenPonb_qvxbOyZNS6Zt3cV25wPmyy0aCot_YECTXzf9oP1AR_s_jbjxytAc2pplAdnNdzY8sSY/s400/IMG_3413_filtered+copy.jpg) |
out of focus but this is the only one I have with its bill out |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfxEL1xPbwRnDSB0HlJUjMrsporPc-ULusCyVYoMSooekHZMlmg3xLqBn6ZTYxEkifR-cpZmRb57bLulAFbob48Y9r8ZqcS8dRlgId8D5S3rugNiIlF0eLPb1f_qVlrdHspwQEt-RP9k/s400/IMG_3575_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle, same as above |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5P2ZS3lsZUaOlafFc7gK6Hl_BXW-IK4qRUbsqBo-ucWrdLgMoCnk92puwuHoE4AsL2KvBZ4YPjQw-zym2TAhhl6Pom12mMSHq6buEo_sJSt7nrZIcgSLOHkKFcHXm13xQ9bOQnciXLU/s400/IMG_3921_filtered+copy.jpg) |
first cycle dropping behind a ridge |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBliPxudCI_l1PCJEgLLpHIMAK2hXPmqvSodUXBCzneH31YGVNOyzOSgZs2fLY05Tj-1So8y6VtGNpruDO6TN1YHzDPRUx5BWAX2q9pxBoMVmaDhfTJirI_v9iM51s5bUftS90G2ioeoE/s400/IMG_3511_filtered+copy.jpg) |
likely worn first cycle versus delayed second cycle, the "pale" base of the bill is just mud |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc7xo-Gyhd5VBGEMxtiz_UVBdZlKw6XA2Vj1n2bS7KVGiL5YhfcbJ2fm0hoEmHutoFGVCoIjz7dF_0csC5kNANOpFkfBAdbh0-4rI94fGyyNK_4iammK__oBUTQNLxzRqaOW7YktbhrE/s400/IMG_3479_filtered+copy.jpg) |
second cycle |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5BiUSxATa7F_K36qKzCOTfHss__LPHOO2AMUNuc-ePyqDMsj-Fyt7HxgZxAZ4WiiYTIekqq47yXMjDZP13Yw6qenTEP2W1fV9iNrc2whT0jo5HUHSsdle0Eb9x9GXU8Q8Hw8SMDvh7w/s400/IMG_3354_filtered+copy.jpg) |
the same second cycle as above |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx57WNjlr5jkG1uHNmHCID3sXfVjdz2E3BG1Jm_QC_aX_77PxhXuTXaNFw8_oG2cJfXvduA_cMNrpULzpnMFHNAUPLdcZ8Tt2n2HbGeNohdn2_9_ojyaKizO66lSe7KaNIZx7SJQPFCtg/s400/IMG_3865_filtered+copy.jpg) |
adult |
I spent nearly 3 hours there yesterday but am already itching to get back. That'll have to wait until next winter though. The gulling was fantastic...much more interesting that I would have guessed inland NC had to offer. But the region has records of California, Thayer's, Iceland (several), and Glaucous (several) Gulls so it shouldn't have come as such a surprise. No pure Glaucous on this visit...just two mutts, but cool nonetheless.
- Nick
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