Subject: Gulls
Date: Jun 10 20:35:34 1997
From: Cliff Drake - birder at juno.com


There were 50 to 100 gulls on Golden Gardens Beach this morning, that I
think were California Gulls. I guess the only CAGUs I've seen before were
in their full breeding plumage. These had brown to black primaries, slate
gray legs (with a slight greenish tinge), a gray mantle, and the adults
had a black and orange spot on their bills. I get a little frustrated
because all I have is the Petersons guide, and while the only gull it
shows with two spots on the bill is the California, all they say about
leg color is "may have yellowish green legs or not" Am I right, anyone?
I also saw several Terns high overhead, by their large size and steady
"scraak" call I assume they were Caspian Terns. They were easily twice
the size of the Common Terns I've seen, and very slender.
Otherwise, the usual collection, with Song Sparrows, White Crowned
Sparrows, Violet-Green, Tree and Barn Swallows and Great Blue Herons
being the highlights.
=================
Cliff Drake
Seattle, (Ballard) WA
Birder at Juno.com