HI:
Around 2:30pm today Brad Waggoner called from his boat (via cell phone)
that he had a 1st winter Black-headed Gull at the "fish farm" south of
Fort Ward State Park. I drove down there and met up with him around
3:00pm. I got on his boat and we went several yards to the fish pen. The
bird was first seen at the south end of the fish pen and then it flew to
the eastern side. It was with a few Bonaparte's and mew gulls. We got
point blank looks at it including the red bill with a black tip and the
dusky underwings. This bird might be viewable from shore with a good
scope. The guy I talked with who works on the dock said birders are
welcome IF YOU STAY CLEAR of the machinery, forklift and trucks that come
and go. DIRECTIONS: From the Winslow Ferry terminal turn left on Winslow
Way ( The first stop light you reach getting off the ferry) then turn
right on Madison Ave. Drive north to Wyatt Way ( The next intersection on
Madison) Folllow Wyatt Way to Bucklin Hill Road (at the head of Eagle
Harbor) to you reach Blakely Ave. Follow Blakley Ave south for about 3
miles to you reach Country Club Road. Follow this road until you reach
Fort Ward Hill Road (about 0.25 mile down the road). Follow Fort Ward Hill
Road PAST THE State Park on you right to you come to a steep winding
section of road. Follow this section of road until you reach the dock.
Park in the dirt parking area. DON'T BLOCK the access to the dock! Walk
until you reach the end of the dock and scan from there!

--

Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
"Rallidae all the way!"