I just returned from a foray to Green Lake, and saw the GLAUCOUS GULL that
Greg Toffic reported earlier. I saw it at 3:15 p.m. on the east side of
the lake, on the diving platform that is across from the Community Center.
(Greg had reported it on the west side of the lake.)

This bird is a third winter glaucous gull, which along with the adult
plumage, is rarely seen here in the NW. I've seen adults twice--in
November 1998 at Green Lake, and January 1993 on Sauvie Island. The only
other third winter glaucous gull I've seen was also at Sauvie Island in
January 1993.

This is a third winter bird because the head and underparts were
extensively white, with only minor amounts of brown mottling. The bill
is still very pink with a black tip, even though I would expect a third
winter glaucous to have a more yellow-pink or "horn" color by now. The mantle
was and wing coverts were a very pale gray (Although there was a faint brown
wash to the wing coverts). The primaries were gray with extensive white tips
to the outer primaries, however the primary coverts were still a pale brown.
The tail was all white, and the undertail coverts still had some faint brown
barring.

There was also an adult THAYER'S GULL on the platform, along with a number
of RING-BILLED GULLS and the usual GLAUCOUS-WINGED x WESTERN GULLS.


Mike Donahue
Seattle
mgd at u.washington.edu