There was a reported California Gull on the Cincinnati birds
website from two days ago. I relocated that CALIFORNIA GULL around 930 this
morning. I observed the bird closely associating with an adult Herring Gull
and these two birds were in a group of about 20 birds with a couple more
Herring gulls and the rest Ring-billed Gulls. I noticed first the size of
the bird which was smaller than the herring but larger than the ring-bills
certainly closer to the Herring gull in size compared to the Ring bills. I
then noticed the dark eye next compared to the yellow iris of the Herring.
I then moved to the legs which were a greenish color definitely not pink
but still hard to make out because it was standing behind a few rocks. I
was then able to discern that the mantle was a bit darker than the Herring
but not significantly. The longer I observed the bird I could tell the head
and bill were just a bit smaller and the head had a rounder look to it. The
lower mandible of the bill did have the red and black spot toward the tip.
I digiscoped a very poor photo as I don't have a lot of experience with it
but I will share it later when I get a chance to upload it. The picture
unfortunately shows both gulls actively preening so you cannot see their
heads well however I think it shows the difference in leg color and size so
I will make sure to include a link later. The gull did take off with the
Herring Gull and they flew around a bit before settling on the water
further out from the boat ramp.

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