Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!burl!codas!mtune!whuts!picuxa!gp From: gp@picuxa.UUCP (Greg Pasquariello X1190) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Lesser Black Backed Gulls Message-ID: <415@picuxa.UUCP> Date: 16 Dec 87 13:45:48 GMT Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Parsippany NJ Lines: 18 For anyone who is interested: I have finally found a fairly reliable way to tell lesser black backs from flocks of swirling gulls; the LBB's seem to have an *extremely* long winged "jizz". This works for me with second year gulls and later. This may not work with first year birds, but at least if I see a long-winged gull, I am sure to check it for a lesser black backed. Also, on a field trip I led to Brigantine (NJ) this past Sunday, we had the best look at an LBB that I have *ever* seen. Swimming in the water, less than 50 yards away, through a Nikon 20x scope. Absolutely beautiful! If you are in New Jersey, and need the bird, by all means give Brig a try. Greg Pasquariello