[wisb] Prairie Du Chien Franklin's Gull

From: Chris West <little_blue_birdie@xxxxxxx>
To: "[Wisb]" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 14:41:11 -0500
Hey everyone, 
While out on the river in front of St Feriole Island yesterday morning, I saw 
an adult, breeding plumage Franklin's Gull fly by, south to the bridge, make a 
loop and head back north and out of sight.  All the usual field marks were 
observed: black wing-tips with a large white window, fuller black hood than a 
Bonaparte's, thicker bill than a Bonaparte's would display, and a broad white 
band on the trailing edge of the wings.  Structure noted also appeared larger, 
bulkier and more "gull-like" than a Bonaparte's which would appear more 
"tern-like" in flight.  
Not a bad bird for Aug in WI. 

Today, I had a flyby Osprey and a flyover Northern Harrier over the river that 
I assumed must be an early migrant since we typically don't see them in the 
river valley too much. 

Otherwise, just the typical birds.  Keep checking my Flickr page for more 
photos from my recent trip to Glacier National Park and the Tetons.  




Happy Birding! --Chris W, Richland County Interpretive Naturalist Mississippi 
Explorer Cruises
http://mississippiexplorer.com/chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://swallowtailedkite.blogspot.com/ 
http://www.nabirding.com/http://www.flickr.com/photos/swallowtailphoto

"The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first 
material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the 
composer; but when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no 
more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be 
again."

(From William Beebe's "The Bird: Its Form and Function," 1906)                  
                  
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding 
Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: 
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: 
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
[wisb] Prairie Du Chien Franklin's Gull

Other related posts:
