[Ontbirds]Pembroke - Possible Slaty-backed Gull Nov. 21

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

Langis Sirois asked me to post this for him, as he is not able to post to 
ONTBIRDS at this time.

The possible SLATY-BACKED GULL posted by Chris Michener on 20 November 2007 
was seen again today 21 November by Langis Sirois and Herve Tremblay, from 
12:30 - 1:30 PM and was still present when they left the site.  Langis said 
that the bird seemed quite unwary when approached slowly by car (they did 
not leave their vehicle) and only flew (as did the other gulls at the 
landfill) when a truck arrived to dump some garbage. The ?SBGU and the other 
gulls (mostly Herring & Ring-billed, with a few Glaucous,and immature 
Great-black-backed) were evidently not disturbed by the truck , but just 
seemed interested in investigating the arrival of the fresh "deposit".

Original message by Chris Michener, including directions & instructions re: 
accessing the site are below.

Thanks to Langis for this update, and hopefully others will have opportunity 
to view this bird and confirm its identity.

Chris Lewis
Ottawa, ON
hagenius at primus.ca



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris" <cmichener at renc.igs.net>
To: <ontbirds at hwcn.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:11 PM
Subject: [Ontbirds]Possible third winter SBGU in Renfrew County


> Hi All,
>
> A bird looking very much like a 3rd winter Slaty-backed Gull appeared at 
> the
> Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (http://www.ovwrc.com/) near Pembroke.
>
> To view some images of the bird, go to:
> http://www.renc.igs.net/~cmichener/pafnhtml/SBGU2007.html
>
> The possible SBGU was below the garbage on the lower flats, which is 
> visible
> with a scope, and it was also on the recently dumped garbage.
>
> To enter the landfill as a guest, call ahead (613-735-7537) to the 
> landfill
> and ask for Elizabeth Graham.  She has some rules and wants everyone to
> check in at the entry office.  You wait for the green light and then drive
> up on the scales to check in.  The best time to visit is between 11 AM and 
> 1
> PM.  You shouldn't leave your car unless you are wearing certified safety
> gear.  It is also a good idea to stay in your car and use it as a blind,
> driving near the gulls very slowly.  Scope from the window, although
> binoculars are sometimes enough.  Other gulls at the landfill are HEGU,
> GBBG, RBGU and GLGU.
>
> To get to the landfill, drive north of Eganville staying on Hwy 41 for 
> about
> 14 km., then turn left on B-Line Rd.  Go about 2 km. travelling around a
> curve to the left and at the end of the curve turn left onto County Rd 56,
> also called Woito Station Road.  The landfill is on your right about 3 km.
> down Cty Rd 56.
>
> Chris Michener
> Golden Lake, ON