Snowy Egret was seen again today (9/21) at Island Lake in Lyon county along the shore by the public access. In the Black Rush Lake area there was one gull (out of several hundred) that caught my attention. I do not know what species it is, but offer the following description for those of you who may interested. Roger Schroeder Marshall, MN
Gull sp. 18-Sep-04 [transcribed text from field notes as written] ---------------------------- First seen from a distance of 75-100 meters before taking off. Observed circling lazily with group 2-3 minutes before losing contact. First attention to the lack of darker coloring at wing tips, and to slightly larger size relative to Ring-billed Gull. With exception of the thin, white border running the length along the following edge of the wing, the entire wing/mantle appeared uniformly light gray - about same shade as adult Ring-billed; perhaps slightly lighter. Light-gray was uniform through the wing tips - slightly lighter [even white] at tips of primaries. Tail was white; very clean without any blemish. Bill had dark on it toard the tip - seemed to cover whole tip. Bird was larger that the accompanying Ring-bills - standing and in flight - but did not have overbearing presence as does Herring Gull next to Ring-billed. Too far away to see leg or eye color. -------------------------------
