I was surprised on my ride today when I saw a Lesser Scaup pop up at the
lower end of Veterans Pond. He was still getting his adult feathers, but
enough were present for an ID, especially with his “point” at the rear of
his head.
Also present today, for the second time in a few weeks, was a Herring Gull
at Esther Simplot pond. He was standing next to a small flock of RB Gulls,
and his size difference was pretty obvious, but the beak and red mark were
definitive. He also sometimes does the Herring Gull raucous call that sounds
like he’s complaining about something.
Tom McCabe, Boise