Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

First view, on the beach, Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 5 August 2018.

There follows, documentation from a KELPISH Gull in Marquette, Michigan on 12 May 2015.

Note: the MBRC has not yet voted on this record.

Skye Haas called me at home a bit after 6pm on 12 May 2015, telling me he had a dark-mantled gull with greenish-yellow legs in Marquette’s Lower Harbor. My oldest son (Jack) and I dropped everything; we were looking at the gull through Skye’s spotting scope about ten minutes later. I was the second person to see this gull; Jack was the third. We were soon joined by Zack Gayk and then Gary Palmer. About 90 minutes later, Alex Olivier (with his father and two brothers) joined us. I watched this bird very closely for approximately two hours (from Mattson, from the dock behind Thill’s, and—for a brief period—from/on the break wall). We had spectacular looks at the gull (through Skye’s superb Prominar spotting scope, my own binoculars, and the naked eye). Alas, the light was terrible for photography–cloudy and gray. There was a strong north wind, cold drizzle, and my car’s thermometer read 39 degrees Fahrenheit; in other words, a perfect day for gulls in Marquette. Eventually, I shall add to this page some commentary about this gull’s identification, emphasizing why it should not be considered a hybrid (a Chandeleur Gull).

First view, note greenish-yellow legs, dark mantle, and broad tertial crescent; cf: size and bill comparison with adjacent Herring Gulls.

Another view, note small mirror on P10 and tongue (separated from white tip by black bar) on P5.

Another, note broad tertial crescent.

Another view, flight shot (from break wall); note size comparison with adjacent Herring Gull (i.e., this Kelp Gull appears a bit smaller).

Another view, note large, yellow bill with red spot and steep gonydeal angle.

Another view, note same features mentioned in previous photo.

Another view, note greenish-yellow legs.