After two other tries this weekend, I finally caught up with this smashing
bird this afternoon from 3:45-4:15, at teh Gog-le-hi-te Wetlands in Tacoma. I
along with Wendy Walker watched the bird first at the "meat" processing plant
across the railroad tracks from the sharp bend of the gravel road that takes
off from the parking area of the wetlands. We watched it perched on the roof
of one of the buildings to the left of the blue tower, with a number of other
gulls, including many Thayer's, Glaucous-winged, Glaucous-winged X Western,
and Western including two fairly dark adult birds. After it flew behind the
main plant to feed and was out of sight for ten minutes or so, we re-found it
bathing in the main pond of the wetlands.

The bird is very dark mantled, a nice blackish-grey, little contrast with the
primaries at rest. Broad white tips to tertials and 4-5 white mirrors on
primaries also noted at rest. The head and upper breast were finely streaked
brown (brown with a slight golden hue) most apparent on the chest, nape and
hindneck. There was a dark smudge before and after the eye, which appeared a
light yellow-brown or amber. The bill was more slender and less massive than a
Western gull, and was a rather dull yellow, with a distinct red mark at the
gonys. The less massive bill and more rounded head gave the bird a more gentle
expression. The legs were a nice dark reddish-pink.

The bird bathed for a few minutes, and then took off heading west along the
river. I was able to make out that the primaries were grey underneath, not
black, and the bird sported a wide bright white trailing edge to the upper
wing. I was not able to see the "string of pearls", although white mirrors
seemed to be present on some of the inner primaries underneath.

The gull seems to move around quite a bit, although it seems to be be somewhat
regular at the processing plant in the late afternoon to feed with the
numerous gulls before going to roost. Persistence and patience payed off in
the end...good luck to those seeking this great bird.

Alan

_________________________
Alan J. Knue
2642 NW 87th St
Seattle, WA 98117

pinguinus at aol.com