Hi Tweeters:
I was down at the Des Moines Pier and Beach this morning in warmish (mid 60's) drizzle. A number of our fall and winter gulls are there now. It was a high tide, just starting to ebb. As I stood on the pier, a nice adult THAYER'S GULL flew in and landed at the mouth of Des Moines Creek. It stayed a short time, but when I walked around to view it, it had flown.
A number of young CALIFORNIA GULLS were in the area, maybe 10 total; on the water, and a couple on the marina jetty. I didn't have my scope and did not see any adult Cali's. There were about 8-10 MEW GULLS. The ones I could see in close were all young birds, but one adult flew by, and didn't come in close. I could hear some mewing out there on the water.
Two PIGEON GUILLEMOTS that were still mostly black were in the water outside the marina. Two distant Horned Grebes were down to the south in the water by the jetty.
As usual, there were about 30-40 Gl-wing Gulls and hybrids in the area. A brisk north wind brought in some more drizzle, and I left the area.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines
carol.schulz50 at gmail.com