In speculative response to Andy's two questions:

1) I wouldn't be surprised if your gulls were one-year-old Californias
(alternate 1 plumage), which can be seen in good numbers both in Lake
Washington and at the coast in the summer, often in flocks of just this age
stage. I think some stay here, and I've often wondered if others migrate
in from somewhere else. They are often present before the adult
Californias come over in early July.

2) Black Swifts appear over the Seattle area every summer during inclement
weather, foraging either high in the sky or right down on the deck over
Lake Washington. I knew this was a species I could get for my yard list if
I just kept an eye peeled toward the sky, and, sure enough, one day last
summer there were small flocks high overhead (with Vaux's below them right
above the trees). I've always assumed they come from somewhere near the
Cascades crest, so their flights are in the 60-km range.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416