Greetings -
Excitement over the Black-tailed Gull has spun some birders into an observation frenzy at some points! To give you the best shot at finding this bird, review photos of Black-tailed Gull in field guides and reliable internet sources. "Adult Black-tailed Gull" would be the search term. While the BAND ON THE TAIL is one of the key field marks, please be aware that many of our resident gulls, in "immature" plumages, show "bands" on their tails. Certain ages of Ring-billed and Herring Gull show "band"-like patterns on the tail but all other field marks differ completely.
***Black-tailed Gull has a very, very dark gray mantle and upperwing, very similar to Lesser Black-backed Gull. This dark gray is completely different than Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, making the bird "pop" when seen in a group of our common gulls. Be aware that there have been several Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls at the harbor. 
***Reviewing this bird's ID ahead of time will *greatly* increase your chances of seeing and/or finding the gull. 
Photos of the Ashtabula Black-tailed Gull can be found on www.northnw.wordpress.com under the post "Black-tailed Gull update."
***Additionally, check out this image by Brandon Holden, taken Sept 2009 at Port Burwell, Ontario. The photo is slightly dark (was taken under rough conditions), but note the MANTLE color difference between the BTGU and the surrounding Ring-billed Gulls. 
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e5-ZuAF6PT3ron0VaqL3Gg
best of luck tomorrow!
Jen Brumfield 
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Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452

Bird Illustrator / www.jenbrumfield.com

Birding Tour Guide (Ohio), Local Patch Birding / www.jenbrumfield.com
Birding Tour Guide (worldwide), Tropical Birding / www.tropicalbirding.com
Outdoor Education Specialist/Artist, Cleveland Metroparks / www.clemetparks.com
Nikon Birding Optics ProStaff / www.nikonbirding.com



                                          
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