The bird reported by Winnie and Shari is probably the same bird that has
caused this controversy every year since John Pogacnik first noticed it
back in 2003.  I myself noted it in 2004 and came to the same rough
conclusion ("possible Western gull") but later revised my opinion in
light of evidence that it is probably a herring X great black-backed
gull hybrid or something of that nature.
 
Just because this one is not likely to be the hoped-for stray does not
in any way detract from the observation.  Keeping an eye out for birds
that don't fit with the crowd is great birding practice, and eventually
will yield a rarity or two.
 
Chris Spagnoli
Lakewood

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