ML616265702

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

**Rare. First seen at waters edge on the mudflats SE of the breakwall. Picked out as soon as we arrived and started scanning the gulls. Very uneasy, frequently picked on by GWGU. Twice seen approaching two GWGU together and then harassed and snapped at until it moved on. Made frequent short flights closer and closer to breakwall until moving out onto the water to sit with other gulls. Occasionally seen calling while on land. We were able to get a few birders on the bird before part of the mega flock on the water got up and and started circling higher and higher N of Spike Island until we lost it. Fairly straightforward ID of an adult. Smaller than GWGU, but much longer winged and darker back. Similar long winged proportions of a California Gull but with red and black tipped bill and full black band across tail. Chest and belly had pink sheen. Photos of bird on ground and in flight.

Technical information

Dimensions

2000 pixels x 1201 pixels

Original file size

1.41 MB