Hello David.
Gongratulation about you finding this rare bird,what somewhat usual seeing
on the coast.Is it possible to give Dan Stephens to give a call to go out
and confirm this bird.Dan is not on tweeters,but he lieves in Wenatchee.His
Telephone Nr is 509-877-6639.W e birded with Dan and Ken knows him
well.Would be nice to get this bird confirmed.I am happy you can do some
birding again.I knew when you moved over there you will find some good
birds.

Ruth
----- Original Message -----
From: David Beaudette <drtbrdr at earthlink.net>
To: Tweeters Messages <tweeters at u.washington.edu>; Inland NW Messages
<inland-nw-birders at uidaho.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 12:20 PM
Subject: Chelan County Laughing Gull


> Greetings,
>
> On my walk this morning I viewed a juvenile Laughing Gull at
> Wenatchee,Chelan County, WA.
>
> The bird was seen from about 0830 to 0930 on the muddy shore line at the
> south end of Wenatchee Confluence State Park [which was viewed from the
Loop
> Trail at Walla Walla Point Park] and also flying low over the lawns and
> ballfields at Walla Walla Point Park which is just south of Wenachee
> Confluence State Park. At about 0930 the bird flew with some Ring-billed
> Gulls and headed north along the shoreline and
> landed on the shoreline between the campground and wading area at
Wenatchee
> Confluence State Park.
>
> To get to Walla Walla Point Park: from Wenatchee Avenue head east on
Hawley
> St, then on Miller St, then on Walla Walla Ave. After entering the park
take
> the left fork to the ballfield parking. Get on the paved loop trail that
> runs along the river. My viewing was done from the trail adjacent to
> ballfield #4 where you can inspect the shoreline to the north, where the
> gull was seen. The gull was also flying low over the ballfields with
> Ring-billed Gulls.
>
> Look for a gull that is smaller than any of the Ring-bills, perhaps the
size
> of a Mew...with a darker mantle than the Ring-bills...dark brown with pale
> feather edges, blackish bill and legs. The thick bill is proportionately
> very long
> and drooping at the tip. This is one of the first things noticed about
this
> bird. The bird has some brownish on the head mostly on the eye to the
> nape..not strongly defined-not forming a blackish half hood that a
> Franklin's Gull would typically show. White eye crescents were seen...not
> especially noticeable. Underparts whitish with some brownish on the
breast.
> In flight a BROAD blackish subterminal tail band across ALL of the tail
> feathers contrasting with a whitish tail and rump. Great views of this!
> On the upperside of the wing the outer half is blackish brown contrasting
> with the brownish inner half. Looks long-winged.
> Didn't pay any attention to the underwing.
>
> Good Birding,
> Dave Beaudette
> Wenatchee,WA
> drtbrdr at earthlink.net
>
>