All white gull!?!

[tmanson]

Okay; Just to get everyone excited on Christmas Eve, yesterday, around 2:00 p.m., I saw what appeared to be all white gull on the south side of the TransCanada, in a field just West of Annis Rd before Chilliwack. Trafffic going both ways on the TransCanada was brutal, so there was no way I could stop. I also had passengers in the car.
Nevertheless, to the passengers' great amusement, I did check the Bailey Landfill later in the afternoon, and the large gull flock I had seen before, which had moved to either side of Chilliwack Central around Bandon, if I have my road names correct.
I checked every bird in this flock, and couldn't find my white gull.
I've had company all day, and this was my first chance to get on the computer.
Anyway, Fraser Valley birders, keep an eye out for those gull flocks. There could be something good in there.

Thor
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Thanks for the headsup Thor!
I think this could be Banford Rd where you saw this gull?
There are several possibilities what this white gull could be. All of which would make an excellent Christmas present!

With the wet fields, the gulls are out in the fields more than in the dump, especially since it is closed for the next few days and the tractors are not moving the garbage around.

Thanks again!

[tmanson]

Gord: Yup, Banford is the right road. Unfortunately, other than the fact that the gull looked all white, I didn't get a look at any of the other identifying features. Like you said there are 2 or 3 possibilities, all of them interesting, with one being a " stop the presses " bird. Anyway, all of that is pure conjecture, unless one of us gets a better look. Good luck, and Merry Chrismtas.

Thor

Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

tmanson said:

Like you said there are 2 or 3 possibilities, all of them interesting, with one being a " stop the presses " bird.

Yikes...it was small enough for that to be possible? (the hint we're getting at is ivory gull, while iceland gull juv isnt that much bigger when you think about it. Glaucous gull is a big boy)

As there isnt much movement in the gulls at this time of year, it shouldnt move around too much so it's very likely to be relocated.

I guess an albino gull is also a possibility. Dont think Ive ever seen one and not sure how common it is either in gulls.