[obol] [FWD: Slaty-backed gull, Lane County] - RESEND no html

[Craig Tumer]

All,

Jamie Simmons pointed out that many obol readers have not been able to
read my posts because my outgoing email was set to html.  I've changed
my mail settings and am resending my original post regarding the
slaty-backed gull I saw in Lane County on Sunday (see below).  I
apologize for the trouble with my email posts.

As I wrote in my response to Diane Pettey's earlier email, I should have
mentioned in my original post that I observed the slaty-backed gull
around 5:30 or so on Sunday afternoon/evening.  I checked the spot again
in the morning and early afternoon on Monday without luck.

When I saw the bird, it was bathing in the fresh water of the creek with
the other gulls and then resting and preening on the beach
 
I apologize for not getting the word out sooner.  I didn't have email
access all weekend and didn't have a way to contact other birders. 
Hopefully, someone will be able to refind it.

Craig Tumer
Portland, OR


> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Slaty-backed gull, Lane County
> From: Craig Tumer <craig at greatskua.com>
> Date: Mon, April 07, 2008 11:25 pm
> To: obol  <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
> Cc: Diane Holsinger <dhworkout at yahoo.com>
> This weekend I did a non-birding tour of the central Oreogn coast with friends from back east.  I did sneak in a little birding while the others were sight-seeing and saw a few interesting birds.  The best by far was a gull I identified as a slaty-backed gull at the Cape Creek mouth in Lane County on Sunday afternoon.  You can see photos at the following link:  http://picasaweb.google.com/craigPDX/SlatyBackedGull
>  
> The photos are a little over-exposed so they don't show the true colors.  Even in these photos, though, it's obvious that the gull had a slightly darker mantle than the western gulls it was associating with.  It also appeared a little larger and bulkier than the western gulls.  The head had dark brownish smudges around the eyes and distinct brownish streaking on the nape - distinctly different than the western gulls.  The eyes were very pale yellow.  Close-up examination of the photos shows the orbital ring to be pink.  This gull's bill was yellow with a red gonydeal spot, but the bill was a much duller yellow than the western gulls' bills.  This gull's legs appeared to be pinker than the legs of the western gulls.  
>  
> Other intersting birds from my weekend were my first Oregon brant and glaucous gull at the inlet in Newport.  We spent Sunday night at the Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B.  This has to be one of the most scenic places anywhere on the Oregon Coast, if not the entire US Pacific Coast.
>  
> Good luck to anyone who goes to look for this gull.
>  
> Craig Tumer
> Portland, OR