Heya Tweets,

We went out to Spring Valley Reservoir (even on a Sunday which is
usually tabu due to the fishermen..) and had a great time for about 20
min. (Linda had a report to write, so we could only visit).

At least two ospreys have taken up residence in the area, and were
fishing today, offering breathtaking views of them skimming thirty feet
above the parking lot. The blackbirds (RW) are still ubiquitous, although
I have yet to spot a female. Must not be looking carefully enough. There
are also a whole bunch of ruddies, coots, and Canada Geese. A pair of the
latter have at least six goslings! It's a good time of year to visit the
Reservoir. Also, some swallows (I believe Tree Swallows) are darting
around keeping the place pretty unbuggy. It was a beautiful day to go
birding!

One bird of special note: we saw a gull on the water, about a
hundred feet or so off the primary dock. It was a gull with a black head,
black bill, and orangish legs (we only saw a flash, because he was in the
water the entire time). The black hood went to the neck on the front of
the head, but only half way down the back of its head. This area, on the
back of its head, seemed to be bluish-gray in certain light, but white at
other times. The wings were grey
and the tail seemed long and pointy, with definite black towards the tips.
I'm fairly certain that this is a Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage,
but the only Bonaparte's I've seen before was a winter bird. If someone
just happens to be fishing there right now with their satellite equipment
and the waterproof laptop, take a look for me.....:-)

-Pat
scott931 at uidaho.edu