Raptor and Gull ID Please

[moratorian]

I spotted this raptor in Rattray Marsh. I am inclined to ID it as a Cooper's Hawk though my initial impression was of a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/Mikes ... _Raptora_1
http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/Mikes ... wn_Raptora
 
The gull was at Jack Darling Park. I have with reservation identified it as a Lesser Back-backed Gull with the beginnings of winter plumage on its head. It's uppers are too dark to be Herring and yet too light to be a Great Black-backed.

http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/Mikes ... nown_Gulla
http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/Mikes ... wn_Gulla_1

[Brian Bailey]

The breast markings look more like a Sharpie to me, but I wouldn't want to call it solely on that.  I can't really judge the tail from that angle either.  If you simply want to look at the odds, there are a lot of Sharp-shinned, and very few Coopers passing through right now.

The gull looks like a Great Black-backed.  The mantle is a bit pale, but I don't see any trace of yellow in the legs, and the bill looks really massive.  Were there any other gulls nearby?  A Lesser Black-backed is actually a bit smaller than a Herring Gull.  A Great BB is noticeably larger than a Herring Gull.

BB

[moratorian]

Thanks Brian.

I am inclined to agree with your Gull ID. There were numerous Ring-billed gulls around and it certain was bigger. A closer look at the legs shows neither yellow (Lesser) nor  pink (Greater) but that may simply be because the bright light washing the colour out.