Submission No 351: Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan, Salisbury Downs, Adelaide, SA. 22 July 2002 - 5 August 2002. (Unpublished) Submitted by: Colin Clark.

Verdict: Accepted

This submission describes the sighting of a hooded gull associating with Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae on the Salisbury West Football Oval, SA on the 22nd July 2002. Many observers subsequently saw the bird until it was last seen on the 5th August 2002.

Close observations allowed photographs and notes to be taken and these have been presented to the committee for review. The description and photographs clearly identify the bird as a Franklin's Gull. The black hood, mid to dark-grey upperparts, small size (compared to Silver Gull), prominent eye crescents, dull red bill and the diagnostic upperwing pattern indicate an adult bird and safely eliminate the closely related Laughing Gull.

Committee members had no difficultly accepting this record agreeing that this was an adult bird in alternate plumage. The eleventh confirmed Australian record.

References and Bibliography:

· Dwight, J. 1925. The Gulls (Laridae) of the World: their plumages, moults, variations, relationships and distribution. Bull. Amer. Nat. Hist. 52: 63-401.
· Grant, P.J. 1986. Gulls: a Guide to Identification. 2nd edn. Calton.
· Marchant, S. & P.J. Higgins 1990. The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford University Press; Melbourne.

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)