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Post by tmanson on Apr 12, 2006 18:22:21 GMT -8
Fellow birder:
This afternoon I drove home from Harrison to Hope via the Seabird Island Slough off highway no. 7. I saw a really neat gull on the way, both in the slough, and the grassy field by Seabird Island First Nation buildings. It was very very white. All, but its primaries, which were kind of medium gray interspersed with the white bands. When I say white, I don't mean 1st year Glaucous, or Iceland but, basically pure white. Basically a largish gull; 25-26 inches, pink legs and feet, yellow, large bill, and probably a reddish spot on the bill, but it was covered with grit from probing in the grass, so couldn't tell for sure. Primaries extended beyond the white tail, but not hugely. Didn't have my scope, so can't tell for sure on eye colour. In size and shape, I would say Glaucous-Winged, but didn't seem as stocky, and primaries were slightly darker. Probably a hybrid of some kind, but it was so white!! Any ideas? I will bring my scope, and camera set-up tomorrow, but it was in a mixed flock that I haven't seen there before, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was migrating. Thor
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Post by Gord on Apr 13, 2006 13:55:56 GMT -8
Thor, I saw a similar gull in Abbotsford but as far as I could tell it was completely white with no markings on the wingtips or anything. No spot on the yellow bill that I could see either. This bird was too VERY white and about the size of the glaucous winged gulls. Albino something? Maybe you have something almost albino, or perhaps this is an almost albino hybrid just because gulls arent hard enough as it is. Hope you see it again and get some pictures.
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