Seward,
Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
I
spotted two gulls standing on fucus-covered rocks at low tide this afternoon
south of the Harbor Uplands. All around them, sleek and beautifully marked
BARROW'S GOLDENEYES paddled and dove in the shallow water, emerging with blue
mussels and small fish for lunch.
Both
gulls were large with pink legs and feet, but one was quite pale. I realized it
was a GLAUCOUS GULL hanging out with the default GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, and took many photos.
When I got home and reviewed the photos, I noticed an
unusual goldeneye drake with the rest. He had a greenish glossy head instead of
the normal Barrow's Goldeneye purple. His crescent was not as neat or white,
and the striping on his wings was much whiter and less crisp. His bill is longer
and his forehead more sloped. This is the first BARROW'S X COMMON GOLDENEYE
that I have ever seen.
A
two for one special!
For
more information on gull identification, check out Steve Hampton's website at
<http://www.tertial.us/gulls/gulls.htm>
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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