December 30th 2006. Turner's Falls, MA.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii (Adult) and
probable Nelson's Gull (Hybrid first-winter Glaucous x American Herring Gull).
Turner’s Falls power canal was unexpectedly busy late this afternoon with a nice selection gulls resting
and bathing on the water. I birded through the snow flurries and came up with a Lesser Black-backed Gull,
a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull, and what appears to be a good candidate for a Nelson’s Gull.
Some 500+ Gulls were present in all.

As usual, the female Barrow's Goldeneye was present with a dozen or so Common Goldeneyes.
Images taken through Canon Powershot A540 through Swarovski HD telescope.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii. Adult in snow storm.



Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii. Adult in snow storm with Great Black-backed Gull (left)
and American Herring Gulls (rear).



Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii. Adult in nice comparison
with third winter (?) Great Black-backed Gull.




probable first-winter Nelson's Gull with third-winter type American Herring Gull. At all times appeared larger
and bulkier than American Herring Gull. The bill appeared quite small in proportion to the rest of the
bird, and was only completely dark towards the tip. The plumage looked 'mocha' colored most of the time in
overcast conditions with very fine marbled patterning on the scapulars and wing coverts.
At rest, the primaries formed the darkest part of the plumage.



probable first-winter Nelson's Gull with adult winter American Herring Gull. A real hulking, bulky individual
with a Glaucous like 'feel' but with a dark bill and dark brown primaries (at rest).



probable first-winter Nelson's Gull.



probable first-winter Nelson's Gull. The only flight image that I could grab in the poor conditions.
Shows an interesting pattern with mid-brown secondary-bar and fairly thin mid-brown tail-bar. Overall 'feel'
is still like a large white-winged gull with the primaries appearing very pale in this shot.