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Articles

Vol. 48 No. 2 (2017)

PEREGRINE FALCONS ATTACK A ROSS’S GULL IN CENTRAL COASTAL CALIFORNIA

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21199/WB48.2.6
Submitted
September 19, 2025
Published
April 1, 2017

Abstract

On 12 January 2017, Don Pendleton discovered a Ross’s Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) near Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, California. He contacted Donna Pomeroy, who joined him to help confirm the identification. They noted key identification points including the gull’s rather small size, pink blush on the breast and belly, dark spot behind the ear, small black bill, and red legs. One of Pomeroy’s photos is featured on this issue’s back cover. Over the next 3 days, hundreds of birders watched and photographed the Ross’s Gull. The gull often foraged alone in parking lots, open fields, and along California Highway 1. All reports were within a 3.5-km radius of the Half Moon Bay Airport (www.eBird.org)

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