Hi:



While at the Les Davis pier on Ruston Way today about 12:30 there was a
small predominantly gray gull staying within 20 feet of the shoreline.
Initially it was near a Glaucous-winged Gull and was about half its size.
In fact, it was smaller even the a Mew Gull and looked to be about the size
of a Teal. I had my binoculars so was able to get a good look at this bird.



The bill of the gull was black on the tip half and a light gray or light
grayish yellow for the rest of it. The light gray head and neck was mottled
with lighter and slightly darker colors. The iris, and indeed the entire
eye, appeared to be black. While in the water the sides appeared to be a
much darker gray and in flight both the primaries and secondaries were a
dark gray in comparison to the rest of the wing which was a lighter gray.
The tail feathers appeared to be black, at least sitting in the water the
rear-most feathers were black. From what I could see of the legs and feet,
these too were a very light gray or a very light grayish yellow. There were
no head markings that I would expect from either a Bonaparte's or a
Franklins Gull.



There was a strong north wind blowing and the white caps had a lot of small
pieces of junk in it. The bird was doing a lot of feeding on small bits and
pieces on top of the water and would occasionally dip its head underwater to
grab something else.



Have looked through my Sibley's and don't really see anything like it.
Watched this bird for about 15 minutes and am curious to know if anyone can
offer a possibility.



Thanks,



Jim Brewster
Tacoma
BrewsHome at thewiredcity.net