Subject: Sabine's Gull on Columbia River
Date: Jun 5 14:23:16 2002
From: Dennis Paulson - dpaulson at ups.edu


Chris Thompson just phoned me to report a subadult (in adult plumage but
with partially white head and a few black-tipped rectrices) SABINE'S GULL
on the Columbia River north of Rocky Reach Dam yesterday, 4 June 2002.
This is presumably an example of a bird not mature enough to breed yet
migrating north from the wintering grounds in spring. The late date is
presumably a consequence of the lack of intent to breed, yet its hormones
are urging it northward from its wintering grounds at sea in the southern
hemisphere.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 253-879-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 253-879-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
1500 N. Warner, #1088
Tacoma, WA 98416-1088
http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html