Date: 11/18/24 12:37 pm From: Mark Wilson via groups.io <marklyonwilson...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Vega Gull Candidate on the LA River
At sunset yesterday, there was a very promising 1st-cycle Vega gull candidate along the LA River at Bandini bridge. There’s expert support for it (though, being a 1st cycle, please take the ID as tentative at best).
The bird is under gull sp. on this ebird list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S202913294 Included in the list is Amar Ayyash’s feedback, which I've reposted at the bottom of this message.
Chris Dean refound the gull earlier today at the 26th street bridge, slightly upriver from where I had it yesterday.
If you choose to chase this bird, please be aware:
Parking for 26th street is roadside parking only and is very dangerous due to the frequent passing of oversized vehicles. Please be careful.
Typically, we park here for this location: 34°00'51.9"N 118°13'29.6"W
This stretch of the river is elevated and you can only look down on the gulls from some distance, so having a scope is recommended.
If the bird isn't there it is worth trying near the Bandini bridge where I had it yesterday evening.
Mark Wilson
Los Angeles
Amar's feedback:
"I really am intrigued by this one and think a Vega ID can be supported. In addition to the greater coverts pattern, white base color to the vent and undertail coverts, bright subterminal spots on inner Ps (pseudo-pearls), and overall golden hue to the upperparts, the lower scaps show fairly large arrow-head pattern and a couple of the newer scaps (the only ones replaced) have a consistent anchor/barred pattern. In addition to this, the outer web of the outermost tail feathers shows random vertical dark markings, and not the typical horizontal ribbing/barring that band-tailed smithsonianus often show."
