Rare Asian gull shows up in Vermont
Wednesday, October 26, 2005; Posted: 1:17 p.m. EDT (17:17 GMT)
CHARLOTTE, Vermont (AP) -- A black-tailed gull, normally found around the seas of Japan or along China's northeast coast, has turned up on the shores of Lake Champlain.
"This bird has never been seen in Vermont, and it's extraordinarily rare in the U.S.," naturalist Bryan Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer speculated the bird was thrown off course by a storm, migrated in the wrong direction or could have gotten a ride on a ship.
There are only 20 to 25 records of such sightings in North America, most in Alaska.
The gull, spotted about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Burlington last week, has drawn bird watchers from as far as Delaware, Massachusetts, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania.
"If you're not a bird watcher you won't be very excited, though gulls are graceful in flight and striking in appearance," Pfeiffer said. "If you're a bird watcher this makes you weak in the knees."
The adult black-tailed gull has a darker back and wing tips and a black band across its tail, Pfeiffer said. It also has an odd looking bill with a red tip.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005; Posted: 1:17 p.m. EDT (17:17 GMT)
CHARLOTTE, Vermont (AP) -- A black-tailed gull, normally found around the seas of Japan or along China's northeast coast, has turned up on the shores of Lake Champlain.
"This bird has never been seen in Vermont, and it's extraordinarily rare in the U.S.," naturalist Bryan Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer speculated the bird was thrown off course by a storm, migrated in the wrong direction or could have gotten a ride on a ship.
There are only 20 to 25 records of such sightings in North America, most in Alaska.
The gull, spotted about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Burlington last week, has drawn bird watchers from as far as Delaware, Massachusetts, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania.
"If you're not a bird watcher you won't be very excited, though gulls are graceful in flight and striking in appearance," Pfeiffer said. "If you're a bird watcher this makes you weak in the knees."
The adult black-tailed gull has a darker back and wing tips and a black band across its tail, Pfeiffer said. It also has an odd looking bill with a red tip.
, how did that guy show up in vermont of all places. All i can really say is that i HATE seagulls.