DFW News Release.....Those of Us Who Pay The Bills Should be THRILLED About This

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Your money at work....



Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

December 20, 2011

Contact: Jeff Heinlen, (509) 826-7372

Rare Ross's gull spotted in Okanogan County

A Ross's gull has been spotted on Palmer Lake in Okanogan County by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Biologist Jeff Heinlen.

The Ross’s gull (Rhodostethia rosea), an East Siberian arctic species that normally winters at sea, has only been documented one previous time in the state- in late November and early December of 1994, near McNary Dam on the Columbia River.

"This is like a holiday present for bird watchers," said Heinlen of Omak. "This is arguably the rarest bird currently in the state, and definitely worth a trip to the area to catch a sighting."

Heinlen observed and photographed the Ross’s gull-a 13.5-inch-long adult in gray, white and pink plumage-resting on and flying over the lake Dec. 15 and 16. His sighting was confirmed by other wildlife biologists yesterday. Based on other non-arctic sightings of Ross’s gulls, biologists speculate the bird may remain in the area for a few weeks.

The first Ross’s gull to be seen in temperate North America was at Clover Point in Victoria, B.C., in October and November 1966-the sole British Columbia sighting to date.  Another adult Ross’s gull was seen at Newburyport, Mass., in early 1975. Since then, an average of about one gull annually has been found in the United States south of the Canadian border.

In the Pacific Northwest states, the bird previously has only been seen on Yaquina Bay, Ore., in February and March of 1987 and in the 1994 McNary Dam sighting.

For those wishing to catch a glimpse of the gull, Palmer Lake is about 15 miles northwest of Tonasket, six miles south of the Canada border.  Heinlen says there are two developed areas for public parking along the lake-the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Split Rock day-use site at the south end of the lake and a Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) campground on the eastern shore.  There are restroom facilities at each of these areas.

Heinlen reminds anyone visiting the area to be respectful of private property and residents around the lake, and to refrain from blocking roads or driveways or trespassing.

Heinlen’s photograph of the Ross’s gull will be posted on WDFW’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFishWildlife . Others who see the bird are encouraged to share their sightings in the comments section of the post.

For more information on Ross’s gull, see

[bobcat]

Gee, I think the DFW needs to start selling bird watching licenses, and even punchcards. Twenty birds allowed per punchcard, then you must purchase another one, if you want to continue bird watching.

[CedarPants]

 

And if you want to see a rare bird like this you must first have applied for and been selected for a "Quality Bird Viewing Permit".  $16.50 application fee

[jager]

So there have been multiple biologists that have made the trek to see the seagull? Wow!   

I wonder if the DNR campground requires a discover pass?

[NoBark]

Sounds like a press release from the Loomis chamber of commerce.  I have no problem with a biologist getting excieted about seeing something he has never seen before in the field. Heck,
we all get excieted about stuff others would think is stupid. 

I assume they were also checking on the heath of the deer herds in the area, maybe looking for another poached bighorn???

I also have to say, if we could get a birder punch card to work, that would be awesome!!  Actually, maybe they need a discover pass to park near the lake???

[pianoman9701]

WDFW Release (cont.)

"...and always remember that Ross' Gulls are faster than the common gull, so lead at least one body length."

[ICEMAN]

Since this sighting is so rare, I believe wildlife should shut the area down to viewing. Sorry birdwatchers, you are going to have to keep up with emergency closures.

[carver52]

That about says it all for what the mind set is with our tax based biologists.  Back in the 90's I shot a canvasback/redhead hybrid drake.  Called the head biologist in Maryland who had a hard time believing me.  She said that combination had never been heard of before.  Told her there was an aviary 3 blocks down the street from me {when I lived in Walla Walla} that had several Pochards, which is what she was convinced it was.   Wouldn't believe me.  So she sends over a biologist to compare photos from the kill with full redheads and canvasbacks and to look at the frozen bird.  The instant he realized it was a hybrid and not the prized pochard he did about face and left.  No thanks.   Go all out psycho over the thought of a new bird for the state list then not even recognize a rare hybrid.  But that's what they do I guess.

[fireweed]

Sounds like a press release from the Loomis chamber of commerce.  .... Actually, maybe they need a discover pass to park near the lake???

Don't laugh! Having spent deer season in that "thriving" community of Loomis, this is probably a big deal to them (particularly that one restaurant).  I wondered how they would survive once fall was over--If I were them I would have a couple rare gulls in a pen to strategically release each year during the down time.  Once a rare bird was spotted on Weyco. land near my house, and dozens of "bird tourists" converged on the tiny area.  It made the paper, boosted tourism, etc.  And now they sell those Discover Passes too.  Too bad only 8% of the 30 bucks goes to the WDFW.  Don't think they will come close to breaking even.

[halflife65]

Whatever...I think it's cool and if I was closer I would go see it.

[bearpaw]

I see nothing wrong with publisizing the sighting, many people may want to see it. Might even be good for the community unless they want to shut down activity to prtect the whole area. Otherwise I see no harm from the rare gull.

Not everyone is a hunter and some people simply like to view wildlife, but with the raw deal hunters have been getting the last several years in WA, we are bitter and suspect of everything WDFW does. Sometimes we may over react on issues that may not affect us negatively.