Heermann's Gull,  (Larus heermanni), CAP Recharge Basin, Arva Valley, Pima County

John Higgins found this Heermann's Gull in the CAP recharge basin on Mile Wide Road in the Avra Valley on 30 March 2008 two days after a different plumaged bird had been found at Sweetwater in Tucson.  Although there are about 35 records of Heerman's Gull in Arizona, none has ever stayed in one location for more than a day.  Dale Clark photographed this bird the same day it was discovered. 

Heermann's Gull is an Arizona Bird Committee Sketch Details species.  Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

30 March 2008, photo by Dale Clark