Post by tmanson on Nov 19, 2006 18:52:34 GMT -8
Fraser Valley Birders: Today; ( Sunday ), I tool the bait, and went for the Lesser Black backed Gull apparently reported by two separate birders at the mouth of Vernon Creek, just outside Vernon.
I think it was two years ago I chased this bird, I think, with Brent and Carolynn, but I could be mistaken.
Last Fall it was reported again in the same location, but working Mon-Fri then, the weather opportunities to get there were very limited on the weekend, plus the bird was all over the place.
Unfortunately, it is living up to its reputation again this year. There were over 100 gulls when I arrived at the site this morning, just after daylight. They seemed to be pretty well all California Gulls, Ringed billed Gulls, and Herring Gulls. No Glaucous Gull, either, which was reported yesterday. This gull is a real begger to track down. Despite getting to the main gull roosting site at dawn, it was not there, or any of the alternate sites in the local area. I figured a 5 hour stake out was long enough!! There is, a reasonable chance, however, it could be there tomorrow, or elsewhere. Like most birds like this, there is no sure fire strategy to find these rarities. That's birding. E-mail if you need directions to this prime roosting site. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
I think it was two years ago I chased this bird, I think, with Brent and Carolynn, but I could be mistaken.
Last Fall it was reported again in the same location, but working Mon-Fri then, the weather opportunities to get there were very limited on the weekend, plus the bird was all over the place.
Unfortunately, it is living up to its reputation again this year. There were over 100 gulls when I arrived at the site this morning, just after daylight. They seemed to be pretty well all California Gulls, Ringed billed Gulls, and Herring Gulls. No Glaucous Gull, either, which was reported yesterday. This gull is a real begger to track down. Despite getting to the main gull roosting site at dawn, it was not there, or any of the alternate sites in the local area. I figured a 5 hour stake out was long enough!! There is, a reasonable chance, however, it could be there tomorrow, or elsewhere. Like most birds like this, there is no sure fire strategy to find these rarities. That's birding. E-mail if you need directions to this prime roosting site. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.