Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coronado jetty

On Sunday, Dec. 16, birding with Janis Cadwallader (my wife), we observed the Lesser Black-backed Gull on the jetty opposite the Hotel del Coronado, from 11:25 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., at low tide. Yellow legs, yellow bill with oval red spot near the tip, red gape and red eye ring visible at times, depending on head movement and angle of the sun, brown streaking on head and neck, with greater intensity around the eye; dark-gray back.

We did not see the bird when we first arrived at the jetty, just after 10 a.m., so we continued northward on the beach toward the main tower, where a group of gulls and terns were resting on the sand. We did not see the Lesser Black-backed Gull among them. We then returned to the jetty, and the Lesser Black-backed Gull had flown in and was standing on one of the tallest rocks, about mid-jetty. It was still there when we left, seemingly unconcerned about the homo sapiens climbing on the rocks of the jetty. One other birder (Richard) joined us while we there.

Photos on eBird: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50747036
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Larry Edwards
San Diego, CA
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports