On my ANS Gull ID Field Trip we spent most of our time at the PW Landfill.
We ended the visit with 6 species of gulls, including:
2 GLAUCOUS GULLS - 1 adult (found independently by Rob Hilton & me) and 1
1st winter (found by others)
1 CALIFORNIA GULL - adult
6+ LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS - not sure of the exact count, but Rob Hilton &
I figured that we saw 5 full adults, 1 3rd winter, and 1 poss. 1st winter
And of course thousands of Ring-billeds, Herring & Great Black-backeds, a
few BALD EAGLES, and both vultures.
The adult Glaucous was absolutely stunning! It left us in awe. Immaculate
white throughout (from head to tail, including the primaries), with light
gray mantel/scapulars/wing coverts. The bill was a dull yellow with a dull
red spot at the gonys, and the legs were pink. I took some pictures, but
haven't had a chance yet to see how they turned out.
The adult California was a real lucky find, and we were able to watch it
before it took off into the mass of gulls. Rob Hilton believes it was a
different bird than the one he saw last week at Hunting Creek - this bird
being much paler backed (just a shade darker than the nearby Herrings).
The manager of the landfill is a pleasure to work with, and should be given
some sort of recognition if it hasn't been done already. Has VSO or NVBC
done this?
Good birding,
Paul Pisano
Arlington, VA
