Subject: LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL IS HERE TUESDAY! (fwd)
Date: Feb 9 07:56:04 2000
From: Dan Victor - dcv at scn.org


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Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 20:06:37
From: "Shirley Messinger" <messinger at internetnw.net>

HELLO ALL,

The Lesser Black-Backed Gull was located today (8 Feb.)
first at the Walla Walla landfill at about 0935. It was in a
mixed flock of about 400 gulls. Come 0940 the entire flock
lifted off and flew to the south after pigging out for two
hours at the landfill. There were 7 of us looking for this
nice gull at the time of the silent signal and lift off. We
relocated the flock at the Hussey Road site at 10:00 am. We
soon found the Lesser Black and watched it until 10:40 . I
took several photos at this time . I then returned to the
dump at 1205 and scanned the large flock that stood at well
over 1000 gulls. At 1250 I again relocated the Lesser Black
and took many more photos. I left the dump at 1310 and
returned home. About 1400 Andy Stepniewiski called and said
he was on his way. Andy arrived at the dump sometime around
1445 as I did. The gull numbers were already down by 75% and
more were pulling out every second headed for the Walla
Walla River delta and the evening preen and roost sites.
Andy pulled out at about 1530 and followed the gulls west.

PATTERNS OF TRAVEL

The gulls arrive at the landfill at about 8 AM (dump opens
at 8:30) THEY FEED UNTIL 9:45 AM at which time they ALL lift
off and fly to the Hussey Street loafing\preening site
(established pattern of two day) they remain here until 1125
at which time they return to the dumpand feed until about 2
:45. At this time they lift off in groups and head west out
to the Walla Walla River delta. Thats all I have to say
about that.

I will be at the Hussey Street site at 10am Wed.-Sat. Hope
to see you there. Where is Hussey ? see the DeLorme Atlas
page 40

Bird on

MIKE DENNY