I just received a phone call from Ken Hoffman who reports that he and Molly saw a gull in Grand Marais, Cook Co, they identified as an adult Slaty-backed Gull. It was seen about 6 pm today on the East Bay side of town. They based their ID on the gull's dark pink legs (i.e., darker than on Herring Gull), overall size similar to that of Herring Gull (i.e., too small for Great Black-backed), and broad white trailing edge to the blackish upper wing surface seen in flight.
I forgot to ask Ken if they considered the possibility of Western Gull (which I'm guessing would be more likely than a Slaty-backed to stray out-of-range in July?), and, if so, how that species was eliminated. (There was no answer when I called back a few minutes ago to ask about this.) Both Slaty-backed and Western gulls would be first state records. Ken and Molly will be looking for the gull again tomorrow morning, and I will check back with them and I post any further updates at that time. Kim Eckert
