mfoster.vt

Thanks akiley. I knew it didn't look quite right for a Herring gull, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I saw immature Black-legged Kittiwakes at the Cape a couple years ago, but they were immature and easy to spot due to the M pattern. Didn't know what to look for in an adult.

Not sure enough about gulls to call this one. Looks like maybe a Herring gull, but I don't see a red mark on the bill. Maybe just the photo?

Duh, i knew that but had Scaup on my brain. Don't think Ive seen Ring Necked Duck reputed here, so it wasn't on my radar. Thanks for catkin that millipede.

Got these pics today here N of PEI. eBird says Lesser Scaup are rare here, but these have enough of a peaked head that has me wondering. Just seeing what the experts here think .

Thanks Akiley

Thanks Mark5. That's what I thought as well. I'm going with it.

I am in Les Iles-de-la-Madelaine (or the Magdelain Islands) north of PEI. Black Headed Gulls have been reported here recently and I saw these birds today. I thought they were terns by the size and the quick way they turned and flew. Pretty sure this is the correct ID, but want to be positive as it is a lifer if so.

Thanks Blackburniang

Thanks meghann. Just wasn't looking for them on the ocean.

More pics from the ferry. I believe these are Great cormorants due to the white throat and white patch near the armpit. Never seen them in flight, but think this might be correct. Distant cropped photos.

Thanks Akiley. Now I have to look up Kumlien's.

Got this pic today (5/14) again on the Ferry from PEI to Les-Iles-de-la-Madelaine. I think this is an Iceland gull, but could use confirmation. This seemed to be a smaller gull, but none around to compare it to.

I am on a vacation to a set of islands in the middle of the Bay of St. Lawrence north of PEI. A great birding spot and I hope to find a lot of birds, especially ducks. I was on the ferry to the islands today and got these shots. Couldn't figure out what the birds were as I was expecting sea birds but I think these actually were Long Tailed Ducks. I know that there were numerous reports of them on the marshes and ponds on the islands, but did not expect to see them out at sea. What I think are the males might be deceiving, as I see no white collar, but as they lifted higher I could clearly see that long tail, which I think is a give away. The photos were taken from a distance, (severely cropped) but I did see at least 30 of these ducks in several groups and want to report it right.

Duh. Not sure why I didn't think of that. Thanks to both of you

Got these pics today in southern VT. Pretty sure they are Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, but that eye ring looks pretty heavy and has me second guessing myself. They weren't singing for me so that didn't help.