Slaty-backed Gull at Mohawk Lake

Adult Slaty-backed Gull in winter plumage continues at Mohawk Lake in Brantford. Gulls feed at the nearby dump, then fly to the lake to bathe, preen and rest. Ron Pittaway and I saw it on 5 December 2019.

 

VIDEO: Slaty-backed Gull preening and flying with stills of "string of pearls" in primary wing tips

Slaty-backed Gull showing wide tertial crescent and head streaking that coalesces around the pale eye. Mohawk Lake in Brantford on 5 December 2019.

 

Photo from video still showing the diagnostic "string of pearls" - those big white spots that line up in the primary wingtips. also note the wide secondary tips.  Mohawk Lake in Brantford on 5 December 2019.

 

Upper wing showing one white mirror on P10 (outermost primary) and the "string of pearls" on P8, 7, 6, and 5. Mohawk Lake in Brantford on 5 December 2019.

 

"String of pearls" also shows on underwing. Mohawk Lake in Brantford on 5 December 2019.

 

Superb gull watching happens when the lake is frozen with areas of open water where the gulls can bathe. Mohawk Lake in Brantford on 5 December 2019.

 

Link to previous Slaty-backed Gull Visit

Slaty-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Iceland (Thayer's) Gulls at Mohawk Lake on 21 November 2019 - photos & video