At 8am this morning Esther Allin discovered an adult or nearly-adult Laughing Gull at the ponds just west of Newcastle harbour and it was still there at 9.30am. It is loafing on the gravel bars with Ring-billed Gulls and Caspian Terns. The bird has a complete black hood, a dark gray mantle and a dark red bill, drooping a little but not as large as most Laughing Gulls would have. The wing tips are solidly dark and one quick stretch of a wing showed the typical pattern of black outer primaries contrasting with slate gray upperwing with no white at all. Legs fairly long and dark plum red, tail completely white. The long description is because the bird is quite small, certainly not in full breeding plumage, with a dark mark towards the end of the bill and the suggestion of some retained brown in the wing coverts, and we puzzled about Franklin's for a while. But small female/runty Laughing Gull seems to be the answer.
To reach these ponds - a flooded gravel pit really - leave Hwy.401 at Newcastle, Exit 440, and turn south on Mill Street. After going under the railway bridge, carry on straight at the first stop sign onto Port of Newcastle Drive. This road goes through a new subdivision and ends at a T, where you turn right and follow signs to the Marina. Just before the Marina you will see the ponds on the north side of the road - please park only on the north side of the road as requested. Margaret Bain, Cobourg 905-373-1202 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Margaret Bain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
