Subject: Sick gull?
Date: Oct 29 14:18:12 2002
From: Cliff Drake - cliff at cliffdrake.net


Hi Tweets,

There was a sick-looking gull in Commodore Park this morning, I'd guess a
first winter Glacous-winged Gull. It was standing on the sidewalk and
appeared to have a "runny nose", ie. discharge from the nostrils and from
the eyes. the bill was wet and dripping. It seemed to have balance problems
and walked very slowly when it walked at all. We walked right up to it
without it moving and we had to step around it. The plumage looked fine and
it was a good-sized bird, not at all skinny. Any ideas on what might be
ailing it? There were two women with toddlers in the area and one young man
was toddling toward it at a good speed. I warned Mom that it might not be a
good idea to let her son handle a sick bird, (she agreed) but other than
possible injury would a small child be at risk from a sick gull?

There were also two mature Bald Eagles about 4 feet apart in one of the
roost trees on that little point of Magnolia at the entrance to the ship
canal, accompanied by about 200 Am Crows.
=======================
Cliff Drake
SW Ballard, Seattle, WA
cliff at cliffdrake.net