Black-headed Gull is actually a poorly named bird for a variety of
reasons....funny because it actually used to be worse when it was called
Common Black-headed Gull!!!
But sorry Chris. The gull you photographed with a full black hood is a
Bonaparte's Gull. Both Bonaparte's Gulls and especially Black-headed
Gulls in their 1-year old plumage (born last year) can show variable
amounts of black on their head. Some with very little black and some
with completely black heads. The key to the age is the dingy brown band
across the wing and variable black in the tail. By next year, they will
all be in adult plumage.
The 1-year old Black-headed Gull that is present on the coast does
indeed have a completely black (actually brownish) head, but notice that
the bill is thicker and reddish and the legs are more red. In direct
comparison, the Black-headed Gull is much larger than a Bonaparte's Gull
and closer to the size of a Ring-billed Gull. There have been up to 40
Bonaparte's Gulls on Jenness/Sawyer Beach recently. All immature 1-year
olds. Here is my Black-headed Gull photo from yesterday:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/54655530645/
As for Meadow Pond, there are no good PUBLIC vantage points to bird this
secretive pond. Holly Bauer has private property access to the pond.
Historically access has been from the north end near a brick sewerage
pump house. Walk out a wet and muddy trail and scan the visible flats
from here. Parking is sketchy along the road, however.
I wouldn't recommend anyone go to the back of the trailer park unless
they have permission. This is private property and birders do NOT have
blanket permission to bird here.
