Possible Kelp Gull, CCSP-Pelican Point

[Steven Rash]

I was at pelican point in Cherry Creek State Park this morning scanning gulls on the water and came across a very dark mantled larger one with an apparent red eye ring and a lightish eye. It had its outermost primaries sticking up and I remember the white spot being somewhat large and didn’t notice any white spots on the other visible primaries.

I chalked it up as being a Great-Black Backed Gull, but had occasion to look at the guide later today and saw that Kelp Gulls (which I’m not familiar with) have similar features. I then checked eBird reports and sure enough we are one of the few lucky states that have had Kelp Gull grace our borders in September no less...

My question is, did anyone else see this bird at Cherry Creek today and get a good look at its legs? I unfortunately did not, and my camera battery was dead, so I didn’t get any photos.

Let me know if ya did! I may have to go back tomorrow to see if I can find it again...

Cheers,

Steve Rash
Denver, CO

[Tim Johnson]

Yes, my husband and I spent 20 minutes staring at this gull through our scope & saw yellowish legs when he finally scratched his head. We reported it as a Lesser Black-backed Gull, but we were very troubled by the complete lack of streaking on the head and neck and by the very black mantle. It had a pure white head. Also, the size was about 50% larger than the nearby Ring-billed Gulls, which is not consistent with a Lesser Black-backed Gull at 21 inches. Sadly, no photos. Some gull expert needs to go to Pelican Point. Candice Johnson, Denver