---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lars Norgren <larspernorgren@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 8:51 AM
Subject: eBird Checklist - 12 Dec 2021 - 32984–33212 Ridge Dr, Tangent
US-OR 44.50482, -123.06876 - 8 species
To: <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
https://ebird.org/checklist/S98817297
This is a different bird than l reported. The image is understandably
grainy, but appears to show "bleeding" of the black tip = dark pigment
outlining the lower edge of the mandible going back from the tip. I have
repeatedly read on Obol over the years that this is indicative of a
Glaucous Gull's mixed ancestry. Hopefully someone on Obol with more
knowledge of this mystery will see fit to chime in.
I was southbound on I-5 at dawn, bound for Springfield, Oregon and
potential glimpses of a Brown Thrasher. The idea was to arrive at sunrise,
catching that magical moment when passerine activity is at its peak,
hopefully obviate the tedium attending the vigil dependent on the
thrasher's whim. At the Corvallis exit l noticed the large flag over the
mobile home sales lot was fully extended by a stiff south wind and two
dozen gulls flying by it. There is a large pond in Albany, very close to
the main freeway exit(234), where hundreds of gulls roost at night through
the winter. These gulls were in all likelihood just beginning their morning
commute from said "Waverly Lake". In an uncharacteristic act of spontaneity
l decided to follow the gulls and swerved onto the exit ramp at the last
possible moment.
Gulls resemble crows outside the breeding season in that they prefer
large communal night roosts from which they commute to distant, frequently
communal, feeding sites. There were several flocks in view, all close to
the ground in deference to a strong head wind, and their wing beats
labored, unlaridlike. I picked one flock and felt the blessing of Sunday
morning. Exit 228(Corvallis /Albany) is the nexus of commuter traffic for
Linn/Benton Counties Monday through Friday. On one morning when l was
myself a commuter I saw a fully loaded log truck lying on its side on the
eastern shoulder of the Eugenebound entrance ramp. Is any gull species
worthy of risking involvement in such a contretemps? An Ivory, or maybe a
Ross' ?
The gulls were flying 5-10 degrees west of south at 27mph. I was
able to drive west almost half a mile(at the legal speed of 40) to Tangent
Loop and resume a southerly trajectory without losing them. Five miles
later they landed south of Ridge Road and east of Wirth Road. It wasn't
raining at that moment, but the flock was half a mile distant and after
scoping from the shelter of my raised hatchback l decided to try moving to
Ridge Road. I had barely gotten out of the car when the birds began moving
west in a robust trickle.
In contrast to their arduous commuter flight, this minor repositioning
was marvelously effortless. All they needed to do was open their wings and
they were airborne without a flap. By the time l got back to my original
spot on Wirth Road many were almost at the fence. I had counted 147 from
Ridge Road and as I moved more flew in. Inside the car with the lee window
rolled down l counted 300, dominated by first year birds. Many were plenty
close enough for binocular, and a great many were Thayer's Gulls.
