One other measure of the rarity of the Ross's gull: Right now a Virginia birder is making a big run at an ABA big year. Last month, he flew to Alaska with hopes of seeing a pink gull. He found it 340 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in Barrow, Alaska, near the spot where natives were butchering three bowhead whales. The Ross's gull was bird No. 710 of his big year. (He's now at 718 species for the year.)
More info on Bob Ake's big year at http://bobsbirds.blogspot.com/ Tis a privilege to live - and bird -- in Colorado! Mark Obmascik Denver, CO From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of William H Kaempfer Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2010 6:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [cobirds] How rare is it? So, if you need to convince a spouse, child, parent, friend or boss of just how rare a Ross's Gull is, let me guide you to the latest CBC issue of American Birds. There have been 110 years of Christmas Bird Counts. In 2009/2010 there were 2,160 different counts conducted (which was, admittedly, a record). But in the precious 10's of thousands of CBCs undertaken across North America here are the totals for Ross's Gull reports: 86th Count (1985-86) Reelfoot Lake, TN-1 95th Count (1994-95) St. Catherine's ON (Canada) -1 Two individuals, 110 years and probably 150,000 CBCs-two birds. So, to all 150 or so of us who have relished this bird in the last two days-cheers! Thanks to you Joe, Glenn and Cole. Bill Kaempfer Boulder -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
