[Tweeters] Birch Bay Black-headed Gull

[Carol Riddell via Tweeters]

I was on my way to Birch Bay yesterday when I saw Karen Wosilait's Tweeters request for the status of the Black-headed Gull. I arrived at Stinky Corner (northeast corner of the bay) about 2:15 pm. I had no more than set up my scope when Eric Ellingson approached. He had gotten several birders on the gull on Monday but had had no sightings on Tuesday or Wednesday. We agreed that the afternoon higher low tides of this week could provide good viewing as it brings the Bonaparte's Gulls to the shoreline to feed on bugs in the piled-up sea grasses. (The Black-headed Gull associates with the Bonaparte's.)  Eric gave me a few tips on how and where to search for the gull along the beach. 

I first parked at the corner of Birch Point Rd and Trail Drive, scoping the northeast corner of the bay and then walking south with just bins and camera, looking at the beach at openings in the roadside brambles. I then drove south to the northernmost beach public parking and searched through the Bonaparte's Gulls in that area. I returned to the car when it started to rain steadily. When it tapered off, I resumed the search and found the Black-headed Gull perched on a beach log, among some Bonaparte's Gulls, across the street from the house at 8253 Birch Bay Drive. It then flew along the beach to the south and landed among another group of Bonaparte's. At that point I had photos and decided to leave before the rain resumed. I spent two hours looking for the gull and waiting out the rain.

I hope this information helps others who are still looking for this gull.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA