Date: 1/4/26 10:42 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Short-billed Gull in Crawford County
Seems we've lately been chasing a few rarities found by some young whipper-snappers in our birding community. Today we went looking at Lee Creek Park along the Arkansas River for Matt Matlock's Surf Scoter. Haven't seen it yet but while we were scanning and shivering from the cold wind off the water, a SHORT-BILLED GULL flew in to join a group of Ring-billed Gulls along the river rocks. Finally it stopped preening so busily that we were able to confirm the ID and snap some distant pictures. Although this is highly likely to be the same gull Matt last reported on Dec 30, it was a great bird to welcome us into 2026! Excuse the shaky digiscoped video. The wind was a bit brisk. And, of course, Michael's photos will be much better. https://ebird.org/checklist/S292421487Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
