Tweeters,

The Okanagan Valley (N. of Penticton) is the gull capital of the interior of
British Columbia. This was evident today with 8 species of gull present
between Kelowna and Vernon. The big highlite was a 2nd/3rd year LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL found in Vernon by Don Cecile.

Why do I say 2nd / 3rd year gull??? The bird's plumage was very interesting
to say the least. I might have personally labeled the bird as a third basic
bird, however, others were quite certain it was a 2nd year. The bird's
mantle was a dark gray (2X darker than California). The coverts had some
brown in them, although not as extensive as I would expect in a 2nd year
bird. The wingtips were pure black (typical of a 2nd yr bird) and extended
well past the tail (about 3 primaries past tail tip). The head was heavily
streaked, with a dark smudge behind the eye. The overall impression from a
distance was of a "hood". The eye was dark brown (typical of a 2nd yr bird)
and the bill was yellowish with a black subterminal band. Typical of a third
year bird was the beginnings of the red spot on the gonys. Although I didn't
see the bird out of the water, others did and described the legs as dull
yellow. The tail, although not seen by me, was white with a few black
smudges (typical of a 3rd yr bird). In a second year bird the tail should
have a more solid subterminal band. Anyone out there have any comments on
the age of this bird? This is the second confirmed record for BC and the
first for the Okanagan Valley.

Also at the same spot was an ad. basic ICELAND GULL. Don Cecile also found
this bird. The Okanagan has become a bit of a hotspot for this species as
well. For the last three winters there have been 1-2 birds present at any
time. This bird is a typical Iceland Gull with a round head, small thin
bill, pale mantle and slate gray primaries with large white tips. It sat
higher on the water than many other gulls.

Other bird present:

Thayer's Gull 4 (also rare in the Vernon area)
California Gull 450
Herring Gull 350
Ring-billed Gull 50
Glaucous-winged Gull 8

In Kelowna at waterfront park, the ad. GLAUCOUS GULL was again seen today by
Ryan Tomlinson and I. Also there we saw the resident wintering PALM WARBLER
and Ryan picked a male EURASIAN WIGEON out of the flock.

Excellent afternoon of birding,

Chris Charlesworth
Kelowna, BC, Canada



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