Hi Tweeters,

Thanks Richard for posting my message. I can't add much to what Richard
said that I said. The gull was sitting with about 30-40 Glaucous-winged
Gulls. It's mantle was very dark, similar to the southern race of the
Western Gull, Slaty-backed, or even Lesser Black-backed Gull. I have never
seen a southern Western Gull in the Sound. It was not sitting in shadow,
which could give the impression of being darker than other gulls. It was
sitting at the same angle as the other gulls along the peak of the roof.
It stood out like a sore thumb. I was not able to get back down there
today to look for it. Whatever it was, it looked interesting. I hope
someone else can relocate and identify the thing.

Russell


On Mon, 11 Mar 1996 PAGODROMA at aol.com wrote:

> 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
>