The gull in Grand Marais identified as an adult Slaty-backed was present continually this afternoon between 1:00 and 4:30 on the gravel beach between the East Bay Hotel and the Best Western Motel on the East Bay side of town. It was also seen at various other locations earlier in the day, and at 4:30 the gull flew to the west and was lost from sight behind the East Bay Hotel, but presumably it was headed towards the harbor or one of the breakwaters. I have not heard if anyone has seen it since 4:30.
At this time, indications are that Molly and Ken Hoffman's original identification of this gull as a Slaty-backed is indeed correct. Today various observers clearly saw and photographed its deep pink orbital ring and leg/foot colors, pale yellow irides, size and structure similar to that of Herring Gull, medium-black mantle, and the exact pattern of its outer primaries, especially the "string of pearls" effect on the underside of the primaries. The combination of field marks is consistent with Slaty-backed and would seem to eliminate all other "black-backed" gull possibilities (i.e., Great Black-backed, Western, Kelp, Yellow-footed, Lesser Black-backed), although the possibility of it being a hybrid still remains. Of course, it is ultimately up to the MOU Records Committee to evaluate the documentation and confirm the identification. Although Slaty-backed Gull is a long-overdue first state record, one certainly has to wonder why it would appear here in July, rather than in fall or winter. Kim Eckert
