From 10:45-11:30 this morning (Sat., 15 Dec.) I watched an adult winter Ross's Gull in the Mississippi R. in South St. Paul, about 1/2 mile N of the pedestrian overpass at Grand and Hardman Ave. I watched the gull both on the ice at rather close range (125 m, with 30x scope) and in flight (125-250 m). All pertinent field marks were noted, including white wedge-shaped tail, tiny black bill, very small size, pink bloom on underparts, solid gray primary pattern (both dorsally and ventrally) with white trailing edge of wing. The initial location was at the edge of open water about 1/2 mile N of the pedestrian overpass. At 11:20 it flew N to a small patch of open water about 1 mi. N of the overpass, and landed on the ice. When I left to send this message (11:40), I could no longer see the gull. I do not know if it continued farther N, or returned to the original area of open water.
Bruce A. Fall, Minneapolis
