> Eric Henriksen wrote:
>
> "I'm not looking for an easy answer, rather a good reference
> that I could read to advance (initiate) my ability to identify
> local Gulls. I want to know what's possible based upon time
> of year and locale."
>
[Dennis's recommendations snipped]

Eric, if you're out there (I couldn't find an e-mail address for you in
Dennis's response), I have a collection of Tweeters posts on the subject
of Gull ID, which I could forward to you. The discussion was quite lively
and informative for a month or so last winter -- more about gulls than
most people probably wanted to hear, but most of it very informative. If
you want a copy (or if anyone else does), e-mail me. It sounds like
you're ready for just the sort of short course in Northwest Gull ID that
Tweeters offered. But get Grant's book too, as Dennis advises. While
skewed to the northeast atlantic perspective, it is still the best reference.

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