Nathan and I traveled to Duluth and Two Harbors today. Highlights included all three scoters, a Red-throated Loon, Golden Eagle (amidst an eagle migration), Northern Goshawk and a number of winter finch flocks at Stoney Point, including White-winged Crossbills. However, the bird that drew our greatest attention was an unusual gull in the Park Point soccer fields/parking lot. We were initially attracted to this immature gull by its darker color and small size, further examination yielded a brown belly, thick dark tail band with an inverted V, small pink bill with a dark tip, pink to greyish legs, white throat and darker face than the immature Ring-billeds around it. The gull appeared slightly smaller than the surrounding Ring-billeds, although such appearances can be deceptive. We observed the bird - unfortunately during the snow showers - for about 20 minutes on two occasions around 11 AM - through bins and a scope - at rest and in flight. However, when we returned with Mike Hendrickson and Peder Svingen, the bird was not apparent/present. The evidence seems to point towards a Mew, although we are aware how unusual such a bird would be. Mike and Peder were still searching for the bird when we left for lunch; we appreciate their interest. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher, on Nathan's systemNathan SchirmacherPrinceton,MNMille Lacs County _________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/119462413/direct/01/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://moumn.org/pipermail/mou-net_moumn.org/attachments/20081108/495c7bf5/attachment.html
