Russell Rogers just called me moments ago and asked me to post this on
'tweeters'. Russell is away from his computer and out of touch until late
afternoon.

While commuting through downtown Seattle this morning along rt. 99, Russell
noted a large, very 'black-backed' looking gull, size of Glaucous-winged or
Western, perched on the roof of the 2nd building north of the Coleman Docks
(main ferry terminal for Bainbridge, Bremerton, etc.). Russell couldn't
stop, but was struck by the blackness of the mantle, unlike any of our local
Western Gulls, but perhaps not precluding one of the southern forms.
However, he seemed to think that this bird was very much like the Tacoma
Slaty-backed Gull in 1994.

Anyway, Russell just wanted to let you know, and perhaps someone downtown or
otherwise available today, might want to check it out or at least keep an eye
out for it. Russell said that he will post something further later today
toward evening.

Richard Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
Bellevue, WA, USA