Hi Tweeters,

I went back out to Wenzel Slough Rd. today for one more look at the Slaty-backed Gulls as well as to work on my gull ID skills in general. I arrived around 8:30 and found Ruth and Igor already there and scoping out the 3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull. We were able to observe it at close range for quite some time. The adult and the other probable Slaty-back were not present. The flock was much smaller than it was earlier in the week and there was less gull diversity in general. I don't know if the gulls are beginning to disperse, or if it was just the time of day, but if you plan on looking for these gulls, you might not want to put it off much longer. By 10:00, the lone Slaty-backed Gull had left, and so did we.

I noticed both times that I've watched the 3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull that it behaved much more aggressively than the other gulls around it. It would often chase the other birds for a few steps and attempt to peck at them. I've enjoyed reading most of the posts on this topic; as a relatively new birder and being more than slightly gull-challanged, I've found them very helpful and educational. No gull species are obvious to someone near the beginning of the learning curve, and a careful examination is always worth the effort no matter how long someone has been doing something. Also, thank you Charlie for your initial post, which allowed me to view a new life bird. Your careful, non-egotistical analyses are always greatly appreaciated.

Good birding,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia, WA
wheelermombi at comcast.net