[va-bird] California Gull Neabsco Creek (Pr.Wm.Co.)12/27

Greetings,

I got a belated Christmas present from the birding gods this morning...my 
life California Gull! I arrived at 7:30 a.m., just after low tide, and after 
scanning a thousand gulls on the mud flats, I finally came upon that elusive 
CA Gull (adult). The bird preened and napped in the same spot for about 45 
minutes so I got good looks at it (sorry Sue and Larry). I'm glad I didn't 
have to drive to the Prince William Landfill to see it. It's so much quieter 
along Neabsco Creek..no earplugs needed! With the large number of gulls 
(ring-billed, herring, great black-backed, laughing, and two lesser 
black-backed adults) and good lighting this morning, I was afforded a good 
opportunity to study the birds. While scoping the CA Gull, I noticed what I 
first thought was a frozen male mallard behind the gull, but of course it was 
just a decoy..thank goodness. Two adult Bald Eagles were back in the nest 
across the creek..always a treat to see. At Leesylvania State Park, 85 Tundra 
Swans were in Powell's Creek.

Laura Catterton
Manassas, Virginia


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