An adult, summer plumage common black-headed gull was seen in Union Bay
from Montlake Fill today, first at 10.15am with the last report at
1.55pm.

The bird is feeding and roosting in the bay and is relatively easy to
find. It's most often in the bay near the eaastern side of Foster
Island.

The bird was seen from as close as 50 yards and is most easily located
watching from the gravel path immediately to the south of the central
pond.

A full description will be posted to www.shorebirds.com/montlake, though
it's most distinguishable features are:

1. chocolate brown head - unmistakeable.
2. size - slightly smaller than a ring-billed gull which it was first
seen with.
3. relatively long legs - approx 3/4 depth of body.
4. relatively long bill = approx same length of head.

However....

1. The red bill was NOT seen.
2. The underside of the outermost primaries are white NOT dark which is
more typical.

Although the last charactistic is not unknown in black-headed gulls
(Gulls: an identification guide show one photo where the bird has white
primaries on the underside) it justifies a small amount of caution.
However the head colour, size of the bird and flight rule out
Bonaparte's gull completely. Insane alternatives such as brown headed
gull have been considered, hmmm.

Tons of migrants at the Fill over the past few days - check out the web
site www.shorebirds.org for the latest.

Stuart