Mystery Gull at Rocky Mountain Arsenal

[Aaron Tucker]

Took the Bird Hike this morning at Rocky Mountain Arsenal and saw some great birds (Juv Bald Eagle, Osprey). There was a mystery gull out in Havana Ponds that we couldn't identify. I see that there is a report of a Lesser Black Backed Gull at Barr Lake but I'm not sure this is the same.

The bird was the same size as the surrounding Ring-Billed Gulls. It was mostly brown with mottled white spots. This makes me think it is juvenile or perhaps a young gull. It also had more of a curved bill than the Ring-Billed Gulls and the bill was almost completely black. I think it is a young Herring Gull and it's what I've marked it as in my Ebird. If anyone is out there and can help with and ID that'd be fantastic.

Aaron Tucker

Aurora