White-winged Scoters
Franklin’s Gull (click to see the larger version)
A first cycle Franklin’s Gull was the highlight of an otherwise uneventful early morning visit to Montrose today, October 12. Mid to late October is an excellent time to see Franklin’s Gulls at Montrose, particularly when the wind is from the west and strong, the stronger the better.
eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32011036
Lesser Black-backed Gull (click to see the larger version)
A second cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Montrose Beach on August 23. Another or the same Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Montrose on July 11. Lesser Black-backed Gulls are rare but regular at Montrose.
eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31211879
Lesser Black-backed Gull (click to see the larger version)
One doesn’t think of July as a good month for unusual gulls, so this second cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was a nice surprise.
Franklin’s Gull (click to see the larger version)
Who said summer birding is boring and predictable? This morning, June 26, I had an immature Franklin’s Gull at Montrose Beach. It flew off after a few minutes and I never saw it again. I also had a flyover Great Egret.
Ring-billed Gull (click to see the larger version)
I had my first juvenile Ring-billed Gull at Montrose today, June 23. They usually start appearing around June 22-24 and will increase in the coming weeks. I also had a tardy adult male American Redstart.
Laughing Gull (click to see the larger version)
The 2 American Avocets found this morning (May 28) at Montrose Beach were still there as of 4:30 p.m. Both birds were in the fluddle just west of the beach house. I also had an adult Laughing Gull in the fluddle in the same area as the avocets. A couple kids flushed the bird but it relanded and joined a group of Ring-billed Gulls near the volleyball nets.