Posted by Paul Bithorn on March 07, 2002 at 16:18:24:
On Thursday, March 7, 2002 at 9:10 a.m., Bruce Purdy and I located the Iceland Gull reported by Wally George in the lake north of the Pompano Landfill on Powerline Road. It was mixed in with a large raft of gulls including Laughing, Ring-billed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed. The bird is pure white, except for some cream sreaking in the secondaries, noticably smaller than the Herring Gulls, has small black bill and rounded head. In flight the underside is totally white with no tailband, which seperates it from a pale Thayer's.
This bird has been very dependable being seen everyday since Saturday. Very few gulls are present on the lake
prior to 9:00 a.m. and they start flying down from the landfill in numbers between 9:45 and 10:00.The landfill is closed on Sunday and the gulls also take
the day off - very few gulls are seen in this area on Sunday. Walk on the path on the north side of the wall until you get centered on the raft of gulls for optimum viewing conditions with a scope.
To reach this location exit I-95 or the Fla. Turnpike at Sample Road. From I-95 go west (from the Turnpike go east) to Powerline Rd. Go north on Powerline (you will see the landfill on your left) and continue north past Green Rd. The large lake will be on your left (west side Powerline Rd). I parked in front of a sand and gravel plant. You may get towed if parking in the United Rental parking lot. Thanks Wally and Mark.
Life is good...............especially when seeing Arctic gulls.