Subject: Possible Band-tailed (Belcher's) or Black-tailed Gull near Pasco
Date: Nov 28 11:14:24 1997
From: "Andy Stepniewski" - steppie at wolfenet.com


Tweets,

Mike Denny called me this am (28 November) with report of an odd gull at
the "poop" piles south of Pasco on Hwy 12 just 1 mile north of the Walla
Walla River delta. These poop piles are entrails from the nearby Iowa-Beef
plant and attract thousands of gulls, crows, blackbirds and starlings.

Mike believes the strange gull is either a Black-tailed Gull which is also
known as the Japanese Gull or a Band-tailed (Belcher's) Gull, in 2nd year
plumage. In my mind, the Belcher's would seem more likely, a species
resident off western South America. Either would be a mega twitch for
Washington, right?

I will try to get out there tomorrow. Mike and Merry lynn will be there
also-around noon.

Mike says the best time to look for the gull is between 11 am and 2 pm.

Good luck!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA