Maryland Slaty-back Gull reports
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Phil Davis
Jan 18, 2022, 1:19:17 PM1/18/22
to MDbirding
Hi MD Birders:
Since there are current reports of a bird from the Curtis Bay (Baltimore/Anne Arundel) area ... here's the history of previous Maryland Slaty-backed Gull reports:
MD/1999-024
Date: 12/17/1996
Location: Upper Marlboro, PG Co, MD
One adult.
A report of this sighting was published in Field Notes 51(3):737 and the published report indicated that written details were available; however, no details were ever submitted to the committee for a review. Therefore, this report was relegated to the category "Unreviewable" meaning it was published (and, therefore, was approved by an editor), but nothing was available for the committee to review.
MD/1999-052
Date: 02/06/1999 - 02/21/1999
Location: Conowingo Dam, CECL/HARF Co, MD
One adult.
This controversial report was published in Maryland Birdlife 56(1-4):31, North American Birds 53(2):154. The bird was photographed by many and many outside expert opinions were obtained, but these expert comments did not result in a consensus. The ordinal "finders" of the bird finally withdrew their support of the ID but the report was reviewed, anyway, by the committee, based on the descriptions and photos of all other observers. The committee's decision was "Not Accepted" and the decision summary reads as follows: "Volumes were written on this bird by committee members and a number of outside expert reviewers. In the end, the committee found that there were just too many uncertainties associated with this bird to accept it as a Slaty-backed Gull."
Since this is such an interesting case, several years ago, the committee publicly posted the documentation as general information ...
https://mddcrcblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/1999-conowingo-dam-md-slaty-backed-gull-documentation/
MD/2005-019
Date: 02/10/2005
Location: Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, PG Co, MD
One bird in first-winter plumage.
This immature bird was photographed and the committee's vote was split between Accept and Not Accept. In the end, not enough Accept votes were cast to put it over the bar. The committee's decision summary reads: "This was a split vote. However, in general, the committee found there were a number of discrepancies in characteristics between the observed bird and the published and web reference standards for this taxon, including coloration and shade, the bill shape and gonydeal angle, length of primary extension, and even questions on the overall size and shape. Some members commented that for such an extraordinary sighting to be accepted, the evidence would have to align very well with our understanding of the separation criteria of this age/class, which may still be beyond our knowledge at this time."
I guess the bottom line is that Slaty-backed Gulls (as with all large white-headed gulls) can be tricky and, beware since field guides tend to show "classic" plumages; however, there are always variations.
Hope this is of interest ...
Phil
Since there are current reports of a bird from the Curtis Bay (Baltimore/Anne Arundel) area ... here's the history of previous Maryland Slaty-backed Gull reports:
MD/1999-024
Date: 12/17/1996
Location: Upper Marlboro, PG Co, MD
One adult.
A report of this sighting was published in Field Notes 51(3):737 and the published report indicated that written details were available; however, no details were ever submitted to the committee for a review. Therefore, this report was relegated to the category "Unreviewable" meaning it was published (and, therefore, was approved by an editor), but nothing was available for the committee to review.
MD/1999-052
Date: 02/06/1999 - 02/21/1999
Location: Conowingo Dam, CECL/HARF Co, MD
One adult.
This controversial report was published in Maryland Birdlife 56(1-4):31, North American Birds 53(2):154. The bird was photographed by many and many outside expert opinions were obtained, but these expert comments did not result in a consensus. The ordinal "finders" of the bird finally withdrew their support of the ID but the report was reviewed, anyway, by the committee, based on the descriptions and photos of all other observers. The committee's decision was "Not Accepted" and the decision summary reads as follows: "Volumes were written on this bird by committee members and a number of outside expert reviewers. In the end, the committee found that there were just too many uncertainties associated with this bird to accept it as a Slaty-backed Gull."
Since this is such an interesting case, several years ago, the committee publicly posted the documentation as general information ...
https://mddcrcblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/1999-conowingo-dam-md-slaty-backed-gull-documentation/
MD/2005-019
Date: 02/10/2005
Location: Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, PG Co, MD
One bird in first-winter plumage.
This immature bird was photographed and the committee's vote was split between Accept and Not Accept. In the end, not enough Accept votes were cast to put it over the bar. The committee's decision summary reads: "This was a split vote. However, in general, the committee found there were a number of discrepancies in characteristics between the observed bird and the published and web reference standards for this taxon, including coloration and shade, the bill shape and gonydeal angle, length of primary extension, and even questions on the overall size and shape. Some members commented that for such an extraordinary sighting to be accepted, the evidence would have to align very well with our understanding of the separation criteria of this age/class, which may still be beyond our knowledge at this time."
I guess the bottom line is that Slaty-backed Gulls (as with all large white-headed gulls) can be tricky and, beware since field guides tend to show "classic" plumages; however, there are always variations.
Hope this is of interest ...
Phil
===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
web:
https://mdbirds.org/records-committee/
email: pda...@ix.netcom.com
phone: 301-261-0184
===================================================
George Jett
Jan 18, 2022, 2:52:24 PM1/18/22
to Phil Davis, MDbirding
Phil thanks
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