In recent years, small numbers of ring-bills have been found nesting in western Washington. Some refs in attached file.

Best,

Chris Thompson, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, WDFW

>>> Gerald Hamilton <gerald at e-z.net> 08/07/01 05:22PM >>>
...............Yesterday I mentioned seeing 4 species of gulls on the
ocean beach of Long Beach Peninsula, Wa. I forgot to mention a 5th
specie seen with the rest: 7 Ring-billed Gulls. Now Ring-billed Gulls
are not all that unusual, being very common around Portland and inland
SW. Wash.areas like Clark and Colitz Counties, as well as east of the
Cascades. However, this is the 1st time I have seen this species on the
beach in the summer. Understand that they will winter along the Pacific
coast, but is it unusual for them to be seen along the ocean in the
summer??? Or....are fall migration patterns seemingly a bit early this
year?
..............Also.....The kiosk at the end of the SJCR spit road outside
of Astoria shows Arctic Terns as being present and likely to be seen
during the fall and maybe early winter. I am under the understanding
that they migrate southwards far out over the high seas, and only
casually appear on the beaches, and, thus rarely to be seen.(I haven't
seen one yet). Has anyone seen some Arctic Terns on the beaches here,
and if so, how frequently or often have they been observed or----how
likely are they to be seen???
................Incidentally that kiosk doesn't show the common Caspian
Tern, or the Common Tern, which is more likely to be seen on the beaches
during migration.
................Any information on the above topics will be greatly
appreciated, and will increase my birding knowledge.
................Thanks,
Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net