[Mich-listers] Ross's Gulls - update

[Joe Kaplan]

First, kudos to Joseph Youngman, Will Lewis, and Jeff Lanfois for first spotting the Ross's Gulls on Keweenaw Bay this morning and adding a welcome addition to Michigan's avifauna. I told Youngman a few years ago he couldn't top the July Heermann's Gull he had a few years back in Chassell but he proved me a liar (and we're grateful for that)!!  

The two adult birds (lots of pink below) spent the entire day offshore (200 meters plus) and were best observed from the head of Keweenaw Bay at the large willow just east of the house along US 41 between L'Anse and Baraga.  For most of the day they were the only gulls on the Bay and were seen by many until approximately 4 pm.  

Generally  mornings are best for observing birds on Keweenaw Bay as heat shimmer and winds usually increase during the course of the day.  The birds spent a lot of time on the water and in flight often banking and dropping to the water - they appeared to be foraging and hopefully this bodes well for a multi-day tenure.

Good luck. 

Joe Kaplan