Today while I observed the many Pelicans at the 16th street retention basin in Dubuque, I tentatively identified a 1st winter immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. I returned to my mothers house for a camera. Upon returning to the basin I could not find the gull, but was amazed to find a mature dark mantled gull. I am pretty sure it was an adult Lesser Black-backed gull. Charlie Winterwood and I observed the gull for at least a 1/2 hour. The bird never flew. I was able to get some photos and will post them when son sends them to me. It swam towards the middle of the basin with the other gulls. This gull is relatively easy to locate due to its dark mantle. I would've loved to have seen it in flight and to have seen its legs. An early Caspian Gull was also present.
Good birding, Pete Ernzen --- 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/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
