I must admit I turned a certain shade of rufus last night when I read
the first Flickr comment to my unknown shorebird question from last
night. I never thought I would manage to misidentify a Starling. I
guess I'll try to find solace in the fact that they not only weren't
acting like Starlings (no noise, seemingly strange flight pattern),
but they also appeared to be molting into winter plumage. Thanks for
the help, everyone.

I only received one comment on my gull, but it indicated, rather
specifically, that it is indeed a 2nd year California molting into its
winter plumage.

Josh Adams
Lynnwood, WA