Due to a strange work schedule this week (flu shot clinic for the night shift), I found an opportunity to head to Tacoma for 2 life birds - the Black-tailed gull and the little Lapland Longspur.

Thank you to Guy for the map link for navigation. Once I was close, the flock of birders lined up on the shore cinched it. I arrived around 2:30. The bird was in the scopes but was resting with its head tucked so it was difficult to see all of the field marks. He flew off for a while giving us a chance to look at the other gulls, Black Turnstones and seals. Most of the other birders left, leaving me, my husband and Lonnie to continue the search. We spotted him again in line with a Mew and Bonapartes, once again with his head tucked in. But there it was....the black tail and dark mantle. Eventually he stood up, looked around giving us good looks, even shaking that black tail. He was there when we left at 3:30.

On to Browns Point for an unsuccessful search for the Lapland Longspur.

Thank you Tweets!

Marcy D'Addio
Redmond, WA