Iceland Gull in St. Louis County
2009-12-15

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

I first saw this fabulous little second-cycle Iceland Gull at Canal Park in Duluth on 8 December 2009 but was very disappointed not to get any photos, so I was thrilled to refind the bird today, again at Canal Park, and watch it parade up and down the shipping canal in beautiful light. Note the dramatic, staring, whitish-yellow eye without any flecking (first cycle Iceland Gulls show dark eyes, and all ages of Thayer's Gulls generally show at least a small amount of dark flecking in the iris, even if they appear pale-eyed at a distance). I was also struck by this bird's petite bill. Also note the pale wing tips without any secondary bar or noticeably darker outer primaries. This represents the eighth individual Iceland Gull I have found and photographed in Duluth this fall/winter since 28 October 2009! (four first-cycle birds, this second-cycle bird, and three adults)

Karl J. Bardon