PEEPS

European Herring Gull, Volusia County, FLorida

Two to five species in the Herring Gull Complex have been recognized by various authors, including European Herring Gull.  A first-cycle European Herring Gull was reported from Florida's Volusia County Landfill, Volusia County on January 27, 2008 (FLARBA).  Directions: From I-4 East, take exit 129 (US-92 E, toward Daytona Beach) to W. International Speedway Blvd (US-92). After 3.16 miles, turn right on Tomoka Farms Rd (CR- 415). At the landfill, 3-4 miles (DeLORME p.75), it is necessary to sign in-and-out at office on the right.  Please stay away from trucks and stay clear of active dumping. Stay only on paved roads. 

With practice, first-cycle European Herring Gull can be separated from American Herring Gull by tail pattern (narrow black distal band) and uppertail coverts (mostly white; spotted, rather than barred). Also, European Herring Gull is usually without distal marks on inner webs of inner primaries and shows two-toned outer primaries. (from Gulls of the Americas by Howell and Dunn)

Crescent-chested Warbler and Yellow-legged Gull

When trying to decide where to bird in the winter, two reliable spots, where rarities traditionally show, come to mind; Southeast Arizona and eastern Newfoundland.  Birds reported in these two locations this winter include both Code-4 (probably occur regularly in the ABA Area, but there is no place in the ABA Area where they can be expected, or their regular N.A. range is difficult to reach.) and Code-5 (true accidentals) birds.  The rarest bird, a Crescent-chested Warbler has been seen as recently as January 12, in Madera Canyon.

Although Slaty-backed Gulls are almost ho-hum in many coastal areas, Yellow-legged Gull, is not.  A January visit to Quidi Vidi Lake, near St. John's, Newfoundland, is often a great spot to view both species.

A rarity, no birder was able to see, was a Baikal Teal, harvested during the migratory waterfowl season in Lane County, Oregon, on the last day of 2007.