There it was, on my roof!!

[Gord]

During lunch, had to run the kids to an appointment. On the way home to drop them off, I saw the gulls, that were perched on the roof of several homes, including my own, in my neighborhood (since about 6:30 this morning... ) were still there. As I got closer, I saw a white one among the dozen that were on my roof. I get closer, but cant tell (the sun's behind the bird) if it's a large albino gull or a glaucous gull. Of course, all my gear is at the office, but happily the little set of bino's my little boy uses are in the car. It is a 1st winter glaucous gull! No camera, but that's ok, I swipe my wife's little one and get a couple shots which I will share later.

Very exciting! These gulls are fairly rare; this was the first I saw this winter. They are a northern gull species but winter down the coast but never seems to be in much numbers, at least inland anyway. What are the odds it would show up on my roof? I checked the other roof tops the best I could with the little compact binoculars but couldnt find a slaty-backed gull. ;D

[Dave]

Wow, Gord! Let us know if it sticks around. I'll do my duty and check my roof tomorrow morning for an Iceland. Once again, I goes to show that common bird flocks are good to check out!

Dave

[Gord]

I will for sure. The area is just east of Twin Rinks in Vedder. When they're there, they cannot be missed. The gulls are not consistent when they show up. Often, they seem to 'stage' on the roof in the evenings before heading off to where they roost (River or Cultus Lake) but this is once or twice a week at best. Even more rare will they come in the morning too before dispersing by about mid-morning. Today, there were gulls on my house all day apparently from 6:30 in the morning until about 5:30. My wife was sick of the pitter patter of feet on the roof and their calling...she asked why I like them so much. hehe Ive never figured out the pattern of gull activity. They seem to be fairly inconsistent as a rule. I wonder if weather has anything to do with it. Cool days they seem to be on the houses more than usual, and today was cool. Hmmm, anyway, here's the pictures.

Here it is eating something. Whatever that is, it went down whole soon after this shot was taken. Amazing how big of items they can eat. It almost looks like a fish like a sculpin or something.




Working up to the top of the roof. It had a minor limp. Look at those white wings!!



And some shots when some blue sky came by to make the background half decent so the gull showed up.

[tmanson]

Gord: Somehow, I missed this post last week. That is one very pale gull. I'm like Dave. Turn it into an Iceland, and I am there, although I still think I need someone to lead me by the hand, and tell me it is an Iceland, and not a Thayer's.!! Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

tmanson said:

Gord: Turn it into an Iceland, and I am there, although I still think I need someone to lead me by the hand, and tell me it is an Iceland, and not a Thayer's.!!

hehe, Im with you on that one.

Happily, in a sense, this guy was a monster although if you squint a little bit you can make him look more 'delicate' in the bottom picture. ;D