Taking advantage of some time at the coast I birded around Newport this
afternoon. No sign of the Laughing Gull - I think the last report was on
the 18th. The consolation prize was a 1st winter Glaucous Gull, which was
last reported about a month ago. This one was seen on the bay breakwater
behind the main boat docks.
There must have been a major anchovy run at Boiler Bay today because there
were thousands of Pacific Loons, Common Murres, cormorants and gulls in a
feeding frenzy fairly near shore. I was looking into the late afternoon
sun, which hampered viewing, but nothing highly unusual was seen.
It's supposed to be 67 and sunny tomorrow. Come on down and refind the
Laughing Gull. I guess that usually takes the Hinkles to refind rarities,
but anyone can try. Post it on OBOL and give me an excuse to leave my
conference early.
Tom Crabtree
