Slaty-backed Gull in Dakota County
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'Casual' in Minnesota - First record for Dakota County in the Spring season

This adult Slaty-backed Gull was found by Bruce Fall and Jim Mattsson at Black Dog Lake, Dakota County, Dec. 9, 2006. Notice the large white tertial crescent on the resting bird and the pink legs on the standing bird. In flight the diagnostic "string of pearls" pattern (parallel rows of white dots on primaries P5-8) was clearly visible, even at distances of several hundred meters. If accepted by MOURC, this will represent the second record for the state - the first being in July of 2006 at Grand Marais, Cook Co.

Photos taken Dec. 9 by Jim Mattsson.