Late today there were two Cattle Egrets in a horse paddock at the intersection of Deer Run Rd and Mersea Rd 21 between Leamington and Wheatley, in Essex County.
There were also a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adult and 1st cycle) and an interesting Herring-like Gull (adult, similar size and mantle colour to Herring Gulls, light diffused grey primary tips with at least one long mirror on longest primary, white iris, rich golden yellow bill with a bright red mark on a very clean white blocky shaped head, and apparent yellowish pink legs seen while it was swimming) at Wheatley Harbour up the road (Wheatley Harbour is about 2km south of the centre of Wheatley). I am not suggesting that this interesting gull I described is any particular species that would be mega rare to Ontario like Yellow-legged or Caspian Gull, as it appeared to be missing certain traits that I'd expect to see on either of those species, hence the thorough description. I admittedly haven't had a chance to reference much in the way of publications yet but I have a premonition that it was either a very odd Herring Gull or perhaps a Herring x Glaucous Gull or some similar combination. I just figured I'd throw it in here in case anyone was interested in looking for/at it. Good birding! Jeremy Bensette, Janne Hackl (Alan's sister!!), and her grandsons Ethan and Ryan Jeremy Bensette - Leamington, ON Birding/wildlife tours, Photography, Naturalist Services _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
