Tweets,



I also managed to locate the juvenile Franklin's Gull at Juanita Beach Park
this afternoon amongst the crowds trying to beat the heat.



It is in an interesting plumage. Most Franklin's we see on this side of the
mountains are first winter immatures. Apparently the juvenile plumage, which
is characterized by an extensive brown wash on the nape, is molted sometime
between July and September. I saw one years ago on August 3 which looked
almost like a miniature immature Laughing Gull. Threw me for a loop. This
bird seems about half way to first winter from juvenile.



Gene Hunn

Lake Forest Park, WA

enhunn323 at comcast.net



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Penny
Koyama
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:16 AM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Juvenile Franklin's Gull at Juanita Beach Park



Tweets,

David and I dipped on the RN Sapsucker at Juanita Bay Park this a.m. (did
not check the fire stn), but swung by the Beach Park to check out a
"suspicious" gull we had noticed when over there on Mon with our 2 y.o.
grandson. Turns out it is a junvenile Franklin's, easier id'd today w.
scope and bins and with the smudging on the head more evident. The eye
arcs are bright as can be, brown back, black legs and bill, 4 small mirrors
on the long wings.



On Mon it was at the right end of the beach as you face the lake, out in the
water near the dock. Today, though it was towards the left of the beach, on
the sand and close-in on the water as walkers passed by. The interesting
thing is that the head was significantly darker in only 2 days--what I saw
as a big spot behind the eye is now a brown cap.

Penny Koyama, Bothell

plkoyama at verizon.net