This week’s photo, taken December 4, 2015 from the pier in Edmonds, WA, features a non-breeding adult HEERMANN’S GULL.
Timing is everything. During the summer, HEERMANN’S GULLS are an abundant species on the rock jetty by the Edmonds Pier. One day in August, I counted at least 800 Heermann’s Gulls along the waterfront.
Heermann’s Gulls usually leave this region in fall and migrate south to Mexico. By December, they are considered a rare sight in our area. On November 16, I counted 200 on the jetty. Two weeks later, I could find only one Heermann’s. Presently, we may have a few hold outs that are trying to decide whether to spend the winter in Mexico or in Washington state. If they opt for Washington, I hope they’ve packed a sweater.
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Short & Tweet Bird Reports 
Same here. In summer they are very common along Morro Strand beach, and some are found near the Baywood Pier a block from my house. Then, none – but we do have the ducks now. We are counting hundreds of Northern Pintails right now.