ML622752068
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Wow! Rare in Washington, especially the last couple decades. A fresh juvenile bird. A distinct tidal rip formed between Dune Peninsula and the yellow channel marker as I was about to leave. The Caspian Tern foraging quickly intensified so I climbed the first observation mound near the parking lot and did “one last scan” when I picked up this bird. At first glance I thought it might be a Sabine’s Gull due to the bold wing pattern, but within seconds I realized it was a Little Gull - very exciting! The white trailing edge on the wing with a thick black carpal bar forming an “M” across the back was very distinctive. The size of the bird was about 2/3 the size of the Bonaparte’s in direct comparison, and the flight style was subtly different with shallower rowing wingbeats like a Black Tern. The bird was foraging in close association with 2 juvenile Bonaparte’s Gulls, and they soon were joined by 3 Common Terns coursing along the flotsam of the tidal rip. Amazingly, an Arctic Tern then joined this group for several minutes. The tide rip dissipated within 15 minutes, and many of the birds dispersed with it. The Little Gull flew with a Bonaparte’s over to Quartermaster Harbor (in King County), then rose high in the air at which point I lost it with rain covering my optics and face. A few minutes later birders started showing up, including Bruce LaBar who finally resighted the bird 15 minutes later flying east, and then back west into Dalco Passage. Birders moved to the tip of the peninsula and obtained leisurely but distant views of the bird on the water and flying along flotsam lines, sometimes joining small flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls. It was finally observed near the tip of Point Defiance at which point some very large Bonaparte's flocks overwhelmed the search.
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