Lost Gulls in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
by Bryce W. Robinson
Great Black-backed Gull- Larus marinus
If you’ve started to read, then I’m impressed. Gulls in the title is probably a big turn off for most birders. But in all purity, this is what birders love. VAGRANTS.
Still, Gulls? It is my opinion that the average birder is bored when it comes to gulls. Bored not at the lack of challenge, for there certainly is a challenge, but bored at the birds general appearance and habits. These are simply assumptions on my part. I actually don’t know the reason for the lack of enthusiasm, but I bet the reasons for low numbers of “laruphiles”, or gull lovers, are numerous. Still, it is undeniable that it is widely understood that gulls are not the most exciting subjects when it comes to birding. I on the other hand, have felt an itch for paying attention to this highly successful bird group.
There are only two gulls that breed on the north slope of Alaska, being the Glaucous Gull, and the Sabine’s Gull. Both birds are rather distinctive. The Glaucous Gull differs from other large gulls by having a notably pale back, with entirely pure white remiges. This look is distinctive, even at a distance, allowing any oddballs to be easily recognizable.
The oil fields at Prudhoe Bay house a large number of people. With people comes trash, so it is no surprise that the oil fields have a dump. Dumps are gull magnets, and the dump at Prudhoe Bay is no different. Knowing that anything is possible in birding, I formed the habit of scanning the hundreds of gulls that hang around the dump from day to day. The habit finally paid off two weeks ago when I noticed a dark backed gull amongst the pale Glaucous Gulls.
I hurriedly snapped photos and analyzed the bird. To me, it resembled a Western Gull, but some aspects were a bit off. I also noticed that the bird was banded. Very exciting, given the ability to read the band. Reading bands is a complicated business, and as the gull was in an area that I was unable to enter, I couldn’t get close enough for a better photo, or a way to read the band myself. I wish I had explored my options further. This was the only time I saw the gull. So, no band number.
I’m just learning the gull dilemma. It is a challenge. There is a lot to learn, and the differences between many species are slight. With this vagrant dark backed gull, I had to get some help. I emailed a friend in high places, and he soon got back to me with a consensus, along with the opinions of other authorities. The result was GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. A life bird for me, and a bird I hadn’t even considered. The back just didn’t seem dark enough. Still, after taking into consideration their input and analysis, I agreed. What a bird, so far from home.
In the following days I made my rounds by the dump, in hopes of finding the gull again to catch the band number. Last week, I thought I found the gull again, but actually, I had found something more exciting, a second dark backed gull. Immediatly I caught that this gull had no retained immature remiges, and had yellow legs. I knew the bird, even though it was another life bird; LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL!
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Larus fuscus
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Larus fuscus
Sometimes birding is a game of curve balls. I never knew I could get so excited over gulls, but it spoke true to one of the reasons I am a birder. I love to find birds far from home, on crazy journeys themselves. I love to wonder why, and what they’ve experienced, and simply recognize that they are here, and how strange or miraculous that is.
Birders find vagrants everyday, some, much more exciting than these gulls that passed through Prudhoe bay. Nonetheless, the gulls helped me remember; This is birding, to notice something spectacular, that is so often overlooked.
Lesser Black-backed Gull- Larus fuscus
ornithologi.com 
I love gulls. How did you come to Great Black-backed Gull on that first one, though? I agree with you that it looks too pale. In that area, I’m wondering about Slaty-backed x Glaucous-winged. I think that combination could explain the dark eye, the shade of the mantle, and the dark gray primaries. I saw several of this combination in the Pribilof Islands last year.
Hi Ryan. When I first saw the gull, slaty-backed was the first thing that came to mind. After looking at the bird further, I could rule out that possibility as the gull was very large, bulky, with a very heavy bill. So, I thought Western. Glaucous-winged x Slaty-backed is an interesting thought. From what I’ve seen of both species, it seems to me that the bill of this bird is too bulky, and the back is darker than expected for a hybrid of that type. Of course back color seems good for a SBGU, and I have no idea how the color is expressed in crossed birds. I like the GBBG idea, because of one thing that isn’t included in the photo, being the relative size of this bird against a backdrop of Glaucous Gulls. The Glaucous Gull is a large bird, and this bird seemed to be at that level, at least it was not smaller. I didn’t come to GBBG myself, but again, I do like that idea the best. The GBBG consensus was reached after discussing the color of the mantle, being a bit dark for western, and a bit light for GBBG. Other factors are the heavy bill, head shape, and darker eye. It is an interesting bird, and a good discussion piece. I only wish it was still around for some flight shots, or to read the band.
I love gulls too (I love all birds) but have also found that there are a lot of people who don’t and bird photographers who wouldn’t think to aim their lenses at gulls. They make great subjects for practicing flight shots, that is for sure. Besides, they have their own beauty.
You seem to be having SO much fun in Alaska Bryce and the variety of birds you have seen is wonderful
I’m having TOO much fun Mia. AND to make things better, I get to drive to Fairbanks on Monday through the Brooks Range. I hope to find some Northern Wheat-eaters, Smith’s Longspurs, and maybe a few Gyrfalcons along the way. Can’t wait.
Bryce, I subscribed to your blog some months ago, awhile before you found the Trogans, and have been reading your posts with great interest since then, great images and words. I haven’t until now thought of responding but your thoughts on people’s feelings (or lack of interest in) Gulls has been extremely timely for me as I just happen to be processing some images of Laughing Gulls in flight. I was just thinking how I would be shooting more Gulls! I have always loved Gulls, particularly when they are in the windstream of ferries, they are so graceful in flight. I shoot any and all birds whatever they might be from Raptors to Hummingbirds and haven’t discounted Gulls in the years I have been shooting. I did not know the term “Laruphiles”, interesting indeed, but your sentiments have encouraged me to shoot more. Keep up the posts, most interesting and fun to receive.
Best Regards, William
Hi William. I’m glad you are pointing your camera at gulls. I’m sure the windstream of the ferries provides some cooperative subjects for photography. I haven’t had that experience, but I’d sure like to! I hope my posts keep you interested in the future. Thanks for the comment.