On June 5th, 1998, Michael Price so eloquently writes (posting to 'tweeters')
regarding Sabine's Gull flocks at the Iona Jetty, Vancouver BC:

<< ....Either way, seeing this beautiful little seabird alone or in company is
something I could never tire of: the big numbers and the theorising are just
icing. Seeing them all in unison flight in long morning light is like
watching a brilliant ballet from the Art Deco period--swirling, disciplined
movement clothed in stunningly severe geometrical forms..... >>

I must absolutely agree!! However, to be the 'highlight of your Vancouver
birding career' Michael, I take it beating out the Spoon-billed Sandpiper
(drab by comparison), Xantus's Hummingbird (even more drab by comparison), and
probably a bunch of others, is really saying something! :-))

I have always been thrilled by the sudden annual arrival of the 'disciplined
flocks' of Sabine's Gulls come about mid-May and lasting thru the end of the
month and sometimes on into early June along the central California (SLO Co.)
coast at Point Piedras Blancas and lighthouse during the gray whale survey
season there (annually since 1994). The odd and/or intriguing thing about
those is that they almost never appear until late afternoon and evening and
continue on until the very last glimmer of workable light, which with the
electric hydraulic tripod mounted Fujinon 25X150 'big eyes' is usually about
30-45 minutes *after* sunset. Invariably, these oft-tight little flocks of
anywhere from a few to 60 or more are parading north right on the upwelling
green/blue water color line which may be only 200 - 500 meters offshore.
Cumulatively, several hundred may be tallied during a 3-hour evening 'Sabine's
watch'. The later afternoon light there captures and accentuates their 'art
deco' features utterly brilliantly! Even when the cold northerly afternoon
longshore winds may be blowing 25-30 knots, it's hard not to resist this
almost daily spectacle which is as predictable as clockwork.

It has always been and continues to be a mystery to me why these birds are so
seldom seen there before about 5:30pm. Perhaps they are further offshore by
day, feeding, resting, who knows what, then pack it up in the evening, come
inshore 'til they hit the upwelling, then head north, thus I suspect when it
comes to serious migration, they may be primarily nocturnal. I have no way of
knowing this; maybe someone else has some thoughts. It is interesting to note
Michael that you saw your Sabine's flocks in the morning hours around 8am.
Nice posting Michael!

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)