We were lazy this morning and didn't bring a field
guide out with us to Bowerman, as we were sure that it
would rain (it didn't). Anyway, we had great looks at
lots of birds, including 30+ Red Knots scattered in
small groups amongst the Dunlin. About an hour after
our arrival I put the scope on what I passed off as a
Bonapartes Gull. It was alone, about half way out
along the pilings which cut across the harbor.
Several people saw this bird through our scope, and
all remarked how red or orange the feet were, which
probably should have clued me in on something. I must
admit, it didn't. Other things about the bird were
that it seemed slightly larger than what I expect a
Bonepartes to be, and the amount of white on the
leading edge of the wing seemed to be consistent with
the plates in Sibley. It was not with any other
gulls, and was foraging in the mud. Another admition
is that I didn't look at the bill color. I was in
shorebird mode, and don't really expect any other
"black-headed" gulls other than Bonapartes out here.
Please, if anyone saw this bird today, I would love
some feedback on what you might have seen, also for
those headed out to Bowerman, please look for this
bird. It was quite observable today, I wish that it
had dawned on me earlier that it might be something
out of the ordinary. Other birds of note, Wilson's
Warbler, Snowy Plover (saw the black legs clearly, and
had it in the same view as a Semi-palmated), Lots of
Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warbler
(schouwiler Rd.), Three Virginia Rails, see
(schouwiler Rd.)
Thanks again, and I hope someone sees this bird,
Drew Wheelan
awheelan at hermaninstitute.org

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