Monday 1/2/94, Mike Smith and I checked Gog-li-hi-te (sp.?) wetlands and
surrounding areas near the mouth of the Puyallup River, port of Tacoma.
We couldn't find the Slaty-backed Gull that was seen there 12/25, but did
find 7 other species (including one first year Glaucous) among the 1,000
to 10,000 gulls in the area. We spotted the Glaucous flying away from
the small wetland, and relocated it fighting for fish scraps under the
most downstream bridge on the river.

I can now wholeheartedly second Russell Rogers recommendation of the Port
of Tacoma (however unaesthetic otherwise) as an excellent place to study
gulls. The small pond in the Goglihite wetland, in particular, provided
long, well lit close-up looks at about six species of gulls while we were
there, including dozens of Thayers. To get there, take the Port of Tacoma
exit off I-5 to Lincoln Avenue (2 miles), left on Lincoln another mile or
two to the Goglihite wetland and the river.

And if you find the Slaty-backed, call me!

Chris Hill
Seattle, WA
cehill at u.washington.edu