I was a bit surprised to find three (3) full alternate adult FRANKLIN’S GULLS among the masses of Ring-billed Gulls nr. the northeast parking area of Lake Hefner in n. Oklahoma City this afternoon. They put down just before the heavier bands of rain moved in at about 4:45pm. Aside from an individual photographed by Don Pearson on Saturday, 18 February, these appear to be the first vanguard group of this early “spring” season. Marginally early arrival date for central Oklahoma and my earliest true spring migrants at Lake Hefner. The northbound shorebirds will be just around the corner.
