On McAllister Creek at Nisqually NWR; first place you hit the creek when
you take the loop trail clockwise; adult Slaty-backed Gull and ALBINO
Mew Gull, the latter pure white with yellow bill (with dark spot) and
yellow-orange legs; NOT an Ivory Gull but a gorgeous bird. One of the
birdiest days I've had at Nisqually, especially on McAllister Creek and
at the saltwater shore; midday Saturday, with medium low tide. Thousands
and thousands of gulls, the ones on McAllister Creek easily viewed with
scope. Herring, Thayer's and Western present in small numbers along with
overwhelming majority of Glaucous-winged.
Slaty-backed recognizable by dark back, dark around eye, streaked
hindneck, relatively slender bill, in comparison with Westerns (some of
which are as dark above).