Franklin's Gull in St. Louis County
2011-09-18

Uncommon in St. Louis County in the Fall season

Adult Franklin's Gull in basic plumage near the Beach House at Park Point Recreation Area, Duluth. This individual was independently found by Karl Bardon, and by Jan & Larry Kraemer and myself. This species is casual (or at best, rare regular) at Duluth and along the North Shore. Distinguished from Laughing Gull by its smaller size and more compact shape, shorter bill that does not droop at the tip, more extensive hood remnant in basic plumage, thicker white eye arcs, broad white tertial crescent, and large white apical spots on primaries. In flight, a light gray wash was visible on the terminal tail and an obvious band of white separated the gray on its mantle from the black on its wing tip. Its diagnostic underwing pattern was also noted as it landed on the beach.

Peder H. Svingen