ML645115985

Observation details

Small, lightly colored gull with black underwings, in flight mixed in with Bonaparte's. Despite the hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls circling, hunting, and loafing at the outflow at the base of the dam, the Little Gull was easy to pick out of the crowd owing to the very black underwings, and we were able to watch it for maybe 30 seconds before it flew downstream, and we did not see it again (luckily, the bird stuck around, and dozens of folks were able to see it over the next two days). We spent most of the brief view trying to document it, and get other birders on the bird, so many of the finer points of flight style and plumage were not observed, but the lack of a white primary wedge was obvious, after seeing that many BOGU, as was the lack of a black trailing edge, giving the upperwing a more plain gray appearance. Photos showed the characteristic small bill and black wash to the head, but these were hard to see in the field as the bird flew away from us. This stop was part of a tour for Bird Alliance of Oregon visiting the 5 lower Columbia River Dams, and we had picked this time of year specifically for waterbird migration, namely gulls. In previous years I've come here and seen even larger congregations of BOGU, so picking out a Little or Black-headed had been on my mind. A great time of year to find rare stuff.