[Ontbirds]Pembroke area Slaty-backed Gull - Nov. 24

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

The SLATY-BACKED GULL discovered by Chris Michener and Manson Fleguel on 20
November was still present today (24 November) at the Ottawa Valley Waste
Recovery Centre south of Pembroke, ON.  It was resting and preening, as well
as actively feeding on the garbage at the landfill, and was occasionally
aggressive towards the other gulls (many Herring, as well as 3 Glaucous, and
a few immature Great Black-backed).  Bob Bracken & I as well as a few others
(parties from Ottawa, Gatineau, and Toronto) had good views of the bird in
flight as well as on the ground. The bird was present from at least 10:00 AM
until when we left at 12:30 PM.

****PLEASE NOTE**** THE LANDFILL CLOSED ON SUNDAYS!!

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

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