Apologies for the late posting.
Yesterday, with the strong South/West winds I visited Port Stanley. There were
literally thousands of gulls in the harbour, and many more along the beach to
the west of the harbour. This was the largest concentration of gulls I had seen
at one time in Ontario. Highlights include:
1800+ Bonaparte's sitting on the water
1 juv. Black-legged Kittiwake with the Bonapartes
at least 3 Little Gulls with the Bonies
1 1st year Lesser Black-backed Gull
2 adult Great Black-backed Gull
3000+ Herring Gull
25000+ Ring--billed Gull
1 interesting dark-mantled gull sitting on the west breakwall. Size was similar
to Herring, perhaps slightly smaller. Mantle colour comparable to LBBG. leg
colour was bright pink. Appeared to be in 3rd basic plumage. Eye appeared
light. Unfortunately the bird was sleeping most of the time and I wasn't able
to get much detail on the primary pattern etc. I took some poor digiscoped
shots. Other than the leg colour, everything else seemed right for Lesser
Black-backed. Does anyone know if it is possible for this species to have such
a leg color?
By the way, there was no Franklin's at the lagoons.
Port Stanley is located at the terminus of HWY 4 south of St. Thomas, ON. From
the 401, take exit 177/HWY4/Col. Talbot Road.
Josh Vandermeulen
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