My Mom doesn't belong to Tweeters so would you please post any response to both of us. Her email address is jdanglin at cet.com

Thanks,
Laurinda



Hi Birders -

On July 24, while on the beach north of Ocean Shores, we saw an ALL WHITE GULL resting on the dry sand there. It was near a large mixed flock of Heerman's, Western and California Gulls and Caspian Terns. But it didn't seem to be part of the group.

This bird was all bright white (like an Egret) except for a pale cocoa-colored smudge at the base of its tail, visible when it flew a little way as we approached.
It had bright pink legs and small black eyes.
Its bill was pale pink with a yellow tip and a thin, short, reddish line on the upper mandible running length-wise on the bill.
It was smaller than the immature Western behind it, but larger than the Heerman's. Didn't think to try to photograph it!

Was this an albino gull and if so what was it's probable species? I can find nothing about albinism in gulls in any of my books.

Any help someone can give us with this bird would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
DeEtta and Laurinda Anglin