I checked Sayorville this evening from the dam and Jester. At Jester there were a few shorebirds including Black-bellied and American Golden-Plovers and a flock of Sanderlings. Several thousand Franklin's Gulls were roosting there and among them was an odd gull that looked like a Franklin's Gull except that it had a finer bill and instead of the typical half hood, it had a well defined ear spot and two vertical black markings. I was not able to see the wing pattern as it did not fly and the perched view was obstructed by other gulls. I assume this bird is a hybrid, possibly a Franklin's x Black-headed as odd as that would be. Something to keep an eye out for if you are at the lake. >From the dam I was surprised to see a group of 17 small terns feeding in the >middle of the lake. Due to distance and low light I wasn't able to 100% >positively identify any of them, but my impression was that they were Commons. >
Aaron Brees Saylorville, IA http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrees/ --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
