For those of you who abhor gulls, press "delete" now. For those of you interested in knowing more about the gull Ken and I observed this morning which I labeled "Vega Gull", you can check out my lousy digiscoped photos online at http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/mysterygullaj.
Since I have not been able to find a new bird species for the state list in more than a decade of searching, I have settled on discovering a new subspecies. Vega Gull is currently considered a subspecies of Herring Gull by the AOU. I know others have reported this taxon in Colorado, but it has not been confirmed yet by documentation submitted to the CBRC. (I have tried and failed at least 3 times). So, this adult bird is yet another candidate that I will present to the Committee. My photos are crummy, so if any photographers have better luck with this bird, please advise.
If it isn't found at Horseshoe Lake, other likely locales would be the Larimer County landfill (permission needed from business office upon arrival), the Boyd Lake swim beach (fee area), and Lake Loveland, where thousands of gulls roost together overnight. Scopes needed for decent views everywhere.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO
Fort Collins CO
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