I took the family out to the west end of Wenzel Slough Rd. this evening and found the 3rd year Slaty-backed Gull in the same field around 5:30pm that I first saw it with Lonnie Somer and Matt Pike. We met Ruth before seeing it and she let us know where to find it. Thanks Ruth! In the same field, there were 5 Greater Yellowlegs as well.

I do have to admit that I didn't post on this past Tuesday about the second Slaty-backed Gull that I had spotted because I was unsure. The adult was clearly a SB Gull, but the second bird showed some different characteristics, but what really stood out was the color of the mantle and the pale eye. It had the smudge by the eye as well and the mottling on the base of the neck. I'm glad that Matt got pictures of it and that it could be identified as a 3rd year bird. I was 99% sure it was a second bird, but didn't want to make the call being it was a life bird for me and I have had no experience with this species until that day.

We made a quick check of the mitigation pond at the Satsop Development Park this evening as well and noted just a few Bufflehead and Gadwall there. Also, there was a good sized flock of Violet-green Swallows presumably catching bugs just above the water.

Lastly, tonight we travelled up Newman Creek Road and checked out the A-2300 to the main A-line for quail and grouse and came up empty.

Good gulling!

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com



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