First snow storm of the season and a bit about the Yellow legged Gull at Barton's Cove

Snowy morning, Belchertown, MA, Feb 5, 2016

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 5, 2016

Wilson in the snow, Ware, MA, Feb 5, 2016

Wilson in the snow, Ware, MA, Feb 5, 2016

We got our first real snow storm today (which of course was not forecast to be as bad as it was).  We ended up with at least 6" of snow and although I hated it, Wilson loved it!  We went for a few walks around the neighborhood before the snow let up and then made a quick ride over to the Swift River to take a short walk later in the day.

I had hoped the snow would let up early enough in the day to make a drive up to Turner's Falls to try for the probable Yellow legged Gull there but it was just too slippery so I stayed home with Wilson instead.  I won't get another chance to try for it until maybe early next week so hopefully it sticks around.  More about that bird below.

Ring billed Gulls floating by on piece of ice, Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

Canada Goose with odd markings on neck, Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

Canada Goose with odd markings on neck, Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

Bufflehead, Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

Herring Gull (clean looking individual that had me thinking yellow legged gull for a second), Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

Merlin, Barton's Cove, Turners Falls, MA, Feb 4, 2016

I had to head north yesterday to pick Wilson after his ordeal at the hospital (more about that below) so I had just a few minutes to try to catch up with what appears to be a Yellow legged Gull that was found by James Smith a few days ago.  Trying to identify a true member of this species vs. a hybrid Lesser Black backed Gull x Herring Gull is very difficult but the consensus from gull experts both from this side of the pond as well as those from Europe seems to be pointing toward it being a genuine Yellow legged Gull.  There were at least fifty birders there looking for the gull to arrive to roost on the rapidly dwindling ice.  I had no luck with finding the bird while I was there but did manage a couple of unusual species including a male Bufflehead and a Merlin.  I had to leave to get Wilson and of course the bird came in about ten minutes after I left but I couldn't head back...oh well!
More about the bird can be found on James blog:
http://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/2016/02/ma-interesting-yellow-legged-type-gull.html

Wilson resting after getting home from the hospital, Feb 4, 2016

Poor Wilson had to spend about a day and a half up at the animal hospital to get some tests done to try to figure out the root of his GI issues.  he also had to go without eating for two days.  We felt so bad for him so it was great to pick him up and bring him home....he slept like a rock!