Had a bonaparte's gull in almost full breeding plumage today (4/14) with rather
dark legs (almost black, but you could still tell get the distinct impression
that they were reddish black, not black) today at umpqua day use #. Saw it just
off the parking lot and south a bit. It was loosely associating with the gulls
hanging out in small groups on the beach. Tried to turn it into a franklin's,
but couldn't convince myself, also cant totally convince myself it is a
bonaparte's. Anyone seen a boneparte's gull with dark legs? If anyone gets a
good look at it and has another take on species feel free to correct me.
-Madrone
P.S. The dune is a bit of a cliff (or a total 10+ foot tall cliff) on the beach
side of most of the trails going over the dune from the parking lot. I
recommend the 2nd trail from the north end of the parking lot (especially for
getting back up the dune) or follow the top of the dune through the grass north
a bit until it is a gentler slope (and less height) to get to the beach.
Getting to the beach (and back) right now requires either a bit of scrambling
on steep sand or wading through the dune grass. Access at Umpqua day use #2 is
the same as usual and has a good trail, but a lot less birds. Snowy plowers are
paired up and there were good flocks of mixed shorebirds from #3 south. Tons of
by the wind sailor on the beach.
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