Paddling?Sat. (8/31) 9 to 10 a.m. with my Dragon Boat team in?the Oak Harbor?of the town of Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, perched on the top of a 20' piling out in the Harbor was a?slick, small?seabird.??My paddlers?questioned me to it's identity.? All I could answer was it's a small, unusual seabird, which brought on gales of laughter.? As the bird took flight, I said, "See! It flies differently," meaning it's flight was more elegant with crooked, slight wings?when compared to?the usual?Glaucous-winged Gull.
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I had?noticed the Long-tailed Jaeger report on Lake Sammamish the day before in Tweeters.? Looking in?Sibley's guide book, it does seem possible that's what I saw this morning.? It's the pure white?breast and throat with the distinct black hood starting at the beak, past the eyes to a cap on top that?turns me toward this id.? Also, the flight showing the striped rear tail feathers seem telling.? I'd welcome it if someone more experienced then I can spot this seabird again on Oak Harbor and either verify my id or?determine another one.? I should add that it's been several weeks since I've seen Caspian Terns on Oak Harbor.? This morning I saw several.? A beautiful?morning paddle?on Oak Harbor!
--Jackie Boss

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Jackie Boss
1501 16th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221-2230
U.S.A.

(360)299-8067 (Home - preferred number)
(360)202-1190 (Cell)

jackieaboss at yahoo.com
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