(Activate gull filter)

I posted some pictures of the Lesser Black-backed Gull at Neppell Landing in
Moses Lake taken back on 23 March after it was reported by Doug Schonewald
on 18 March. Immediately after viewing the bird I was surprised to not see
the light eye that I have seen on every other adult or near adult LBBG that
I've seen (though I've only seen a few dozen). Instead it had a dark gray
eye with some speckling, slightly darker than a typical adult Western Gull.

photos.yahoo.com/rjm284

Other than the eye color the bird looked fine to me for a LBBG. In addition
to what is visible in the photos, the orbital ring was dark red.

While glancing through Olsen and Larsson book it appears that 'Baltic' Gull
and Heuglin's Gulls sometimes show dark eyes but I didn't see any mention of
this for graellsii or intermedius LBBGs.

I'd be interested if others have seen adult LBBGs with dark eyes or any
other comments on the bird. Are there photos of last year's Moses Lake
LBBG? Did anyone see it or look for it this past weekend?

Thanks,
Ryan Merrill
Kirkland, WA