Post by: Elkaholic daWg on December 23, 2011, 10:01:52 AM
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
Post by: bobcat on December 23, 2011, 10:04:50 AM
Post by: CedarPants on December 23, 2011, 10:07:03 AM
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
Post by: jager on December 23, 2011, 10:16:00 AM
I wonder if the DNR campground requires a discover pass?
Post by: NoBark on December 23, 2011, 10:25:40 AM
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????????????
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 23, 2011, 11:22:58 AM
"...and always remember that Ross' Gulls are faster than the common gull, so lead at least one body length."
Post by: ICEMAN on December 23, 2011, 07:10:11 PM
Post by: carver52 on December 23, 2011, 07:22:42 PM
Post by: fireweed on December 28, 2011, 08:12:15 AM
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.
Post by: halflife65 on December 28, 2011, 08:16:20 AM
Post by: bearpaw on December 28, 2011, 08:46:42 AM
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.