On Friday, Lake Loveland's afternoon gull flock was large (>300 birds, 90% Ring-billed) and had a variety of species, but the reported adult Glaucous and possible immature Great Black-backed from Thursday were no-shows. Singleton adult Lesser Black-backed and California were the only darker species. Two adult and one juvenile Thayer's were good study subjects alongside Herring Gulls of similar ages. One big brown gull was a mystery as it didn't fit the textbook description of any one species. If you want to read my description, it is embedded in my ebird report (link is below) under "gull sp." If I see it again this weekend, I will try to get photos.
The gulls were loafing on the ice in the northwest corner of the lake between the swim beach and the west shore. Telescope needed for decent viewing. The gulls hang out here when they are not sleeping overnight at Carter Lake, scrounging for food at the county landfill, or bathing at Horsetooth Reservoir.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO
Fort Collins CO
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