Lesser Black-backed Gull in St. Louis County
2017-11-03

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

First-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) at the Superior Entry, 3 November 2017. Note all-black bill, neatly fringed pattern to the scapulars and wing-coverts, lack of internal markings on tertials, absence of pale primary panel shown by American Herring Gull, and contrast between dark tail band and whitish rump/upper tail-coverts. Relatively few Lesser Black-backeds have been reported in the Twin Ports so far this season and this is the first report of a first-cycle bird. Last fall, the first juvenile was documented here 17 September. In Fall 2013, our first juvenile arrived 28 September (The Loon 86:82-83) and in Fall 2014, a very early juvenile was photographed at Park Point on the 10th (The Loon 87:67).

Peder H. Svingen