FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Ky Dam gulls, 2-21-2004

["Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr." <brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Several folks scanned above and below Ky Dam/Barkley Dam for gulls over
most of the day on Sat. Highlights:

Little Gull -- this bird was seen 3 times, but it is a DEVIL to find. Seems
to be moving about a lot, but all 3 times yesterday it was seen on the EAST
side of the lake between the dam and just south of the sailboat marina
about a mile south (upstream).  Clues to picking it out are 1) it is a VERY
distinctly marked first-year bird, 2) it often feeds like a rapidly flying
Black Tern, cruising along before dipping abruptly to the water and back up
to cruising altitude in one fluid motion -- probably eating midges that are
emerging from the lake, and 3) a slight pinkish hue to the underparts.

Glaucous Gull -- one or two first year birds seen both above and below the dam

Thayer's Gull -- one first year below Barkley Dam

Thayer's/Iceland Gull -- was seen several times below the boat ramp below
Ky Dam on west side.

Bonaparte's Gull -- probably 250+ above the dam, mostly visible from the
east side

Herring Gull -- many fewer than in past weeks, although still a good number.

Ring-billed Gull -- many fewer than in past weeks (may have simply
dispersed??), but still a good swarm below both dams

Lesser Black-backed Gull -- Hap saw one above Ky Dam at one point in the AM

The Great Black-backed Gull was a no show.

Also seen were 2 Tree Swallows migrating north over the lake into the cool
breeze and ca 30 Am White Pelicans; also, the eagles are incubating in the
nest NW of the park in the slough next to the Div of Forestry nursery.

bpb, Louisville
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