Hi tweets,

As Ian Paulsen has reported, I located a first-winter Black-headed Gull at
the southwest side of Bainbridge Island. I was in my boat so viewing the
gull at very close range made it possible to I.D. I think, and I emphasize
think, that the gull can be seen from shore with a scope following the
directions outlined by Ian. However, the slightly larger size and subtle
field mark differences from the Bonaparte's Gulls may be difficult to detect
from shore. I am not sure. From shore, I was able to easily make out a
Franklin's Gull that was present here a month ago so perhaps the
Black-headed Gull can be picked-out too. I intend on trying from shore
myself at some point tomorrow. It very well could stick around given how
successful it was at catching small herring. The Franklin's Gull stuck
around for a week.

So hear is the scoop on this gull. It spent its time foraging close to the
water with a few Bonaparte's Gulls and few Mew Gulls. It was almost always
near the south end or the east end of the fish pens and both these spots are
visible from shore. It was slightly larger than the Bonaparte's Gulls with
broader wings and more of a barrel-chested look than the bonies. It was
slightly smaller than the Mew Gulls. The bill is longer than the bonies but
I wouldn't describe it as red (as Ian indicated). It was mostly burnt orange
with a black tip. The wing pattern may be the key field mark viewable from
shore. Page 216 of National Geographic - 5th edition is a good
representation of this gull's wing pattern although the carpal bar on this
gull is narrower and less distinct than the illustration. A black trailing
edge runs the entire length of the wing including both the primaries and
secondaries. This is noticeably different than the bonies with their black
trailing edge stopping at the primaries. Most of the underside of the wing
is dark becoming blacker toward the tip but not distinctly black and white
as shown in the flight illustration. This is also quite different from the
bonies. The head is mostly clean white with a dark ear spot with a faint
narrow gray line (not hood) extending above the eye over the crown. There is
no head markings leading from the ear spot as shown in Sibley or the new
Gull book. Although leg color will likely not be viewable from shore, the
Black-headed Gull had dull orange legs.

Maybe you east-side birders will need to purchase ferry commuter tickets
given the bird chases over to this side.

I personally would be reluctant to walk out on the dock unless you have
received direct permission. The shoreline near the parking area would also
work.

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, WA
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com