Yesterday, Dan Casey and I went out to the Gullery (landfill) to see if it was our turn to find a Slaty-backed Gull (one had just been seen in Connecticut) We took some back roads out in the open fields looking for my redpolls I need to see in the County for my Big Year. We were talking about spots to find Long-eared Owls in the county, and at that time we turned down a road with a nice ornimental Spruce Tree hedge. We commented maybe in a few years, there will be a Long-eared Owl there. As the meters ticked by the trees were ever taller and denser, with a massive cone crop at the top of all the trees. Dan said this will be a great spot for White-winged Crossbills this winter, and just then he added with surprise "THERE THEY ARE! There is a flock right there." We jump out to see the flock right next to us!!! Beautifull looks at amazing birds. Just like in my dream. Dan got some great digiscoped pictures.
White-winged Crossbill (female)At the Dump, there was the usual couple hundred Ring-billed Gulls, and about 25-45 Herring Gulls, and a few Califronia Gulls. In the mix, we saw a couple juvenile Thayer's Gulls, and one really classic adult THGU. (see picture) Also present were the two juvenile Glaucous Gull. We also saw this really stangely light young Herring Gull. It is either a really aberrent Am. Herring or a Vega Herring Gull, which means it is from Siberia or Japan. Cool, really Cool... Dan and I got were scanning the flock, and he almost yells "MEW GULL!" That was really unexpected bird, since they aren't really DUMP gulls, more water gulls, like Bonaparte's Gull. That was about it for the birds. Hope the Slaty-backed Gull shows up next weekend.
Possible Vega Gull
Juvenile Thayer's Gull - note primary pattern
Adult Thayer's Gull - Note bill size, head color, dark eye(All pictures on this post are by Dan Casey)
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