Today Marcus Roening and myself went to the Tacoma tideflats to study gulls.
We were successfull with the sightings of the Slaty-backed Gull and the 1st
year Glaucous Gull. Both of these birds were viewed in the Puyallup River
down from Lincoln St. and before the 11th st. bridge. There is access along
the north side of the river via Stewart St. off of Lincoln St. It is also
advisable to check the roof tops of the buildings near the river. The
rendering plant at one time had lots of gulls to check out but the workers
today were firing blank guns (I hope) to scare the gulls away from the scraps.

However, the main reason that I am finally posting a note on Tweeters besides
the fact that we just got on line last week or so is a questionable, curious,
and unusual looking adult gull. Directions are: I 5 to the Portland St. exit,
follow Portland NW towards Commencement Bay until you are about to go into
the Simpson lumber plant.
On your right hand side is a small dirt parking lot that can harbor begging
cracker eating gulls. You are right next to the river and not far from the
11th St. bridge.
Last week Gene Revelas and a few other birders (including myself) observed
this adult gull at very close range. Gene first discovered this gull and
having just returned from back east wondered why it wasn't an adult
Kumlien's Iceland Gull.
Well, being a life bird I joined Gene the following day. We studied this
bird for a long time, took pictures and still had a doubt as to its identity.
During the week we kept discussing this bird and after looking at the photos
and talking with other birders we would like more input to this strange gull.


The gull has an injured left wing and I believe that it doesn't wander far
from this area. The first thing that you will notice is the light shade of
gray mantle that puts the bird in the Iceland / Glauous Gull group. The other
point that struck us was the smaller size as compared with the hybrids,
Herring, Glaucous-winged, and a Western near by. In fact we had the 1st
year Glaucous at the same time last week not far from this bird and again the
smaller size was noted.
The head has a 45 degree slope to the base of the bill. The head also
appeared roundish today. Last week we used the term "block headed" which
favors more the Glaucous profile. Marcus and I didn't see that today. The
head is white with fine brownish streaking on the nape and onto the sides of
the neck. The bill is straight and not as bulky as the other larger gulls.
the color is a pale yellow going towards a pale greenish at the base. A fine
reddish spot on the lower mandible. The bill has a moderate gonys angle not
sharp as in the other larger gulls. The eye is pale with some darker
feathering around it. White breast and tail. White edging to the secondary
coverts and the scapulars. The primaries are a shade darker than the mantle
with white end spots. The tail seems to end at the 2nd or 3th primary giving
this bird a longer wing appearance. Pinkish legs.
Anyway, I hope others will take time to view this gull and give insight .
Knowing the difficulty in this complex of gulls it is hard to venture a
guess. But let me say this : why isn't this bird a winter adult Iceland Gull?
Good
birding

gullibly

Bruce LaBar