Lesser Black-backed Gull in St. Louis County
2014-09-10

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

First-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) at Park Point, Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota, 10 September 2014. Discovered during today's gale on Lake Superior while offshore winds were gusting 25-30 mph. Note its all black bill, blackish remiges lacking the pale primary panel of same age American Herring Gull, blackish tertials neatly edged whitish, and dramatic contrast between its lightly dappled rump/upper tail-coverts and blackish tail. This is relatively early in the season for this species, especially for a young bird -- where on Earth did it hatch? Minnesota has three earlier "fall" records, none of which refer to juveniles: one adult at Black Dog Lake, Dakota County, 19 August 1990 (The Loon 62:171); one "subadult" at Black Dog Lake, 5 September 2007 (The Loon 80:71); and one adult at the Superior Entry, St. Louis County, 9-20 September 2006 (The Loon 79:88).

Peder H. Svingen