While looking for waterfowl at Pleasant Hill Lake this afternoon, I observed a dark-mantled gull on the water, in flight, and perched on a log next to several herring gulls. Here are the highlights of the other significant details I noted: *Approximate in size to a herring gull, but appeared slightly chunkier than a herring; *Yellow bill with prominent red gonys spot. Bill appeared decurved from a distance; *Bright pinkish-orange legs. *In flight, some white visible on the outer wing tips. I think it more likely to have been a slaty-backed than a western, but I lack the expertise to make that call with 100% confidence. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos to share either. I hope the gull sticks around so that its ID can be confirmed by one or more gull experts. Directions to the site: (Old DeLorme p. 49 C-7): From the intersection with Rt. 39, travel east on Rt. 95. Turn left onto Covert Road. Covert Road leads to a marina and campground. I took a sharp right on a gravel road that drops steeply downhill shortly after Covert enters a wooded area. I don't know the name of this road, or if it even has a name. I parked at the bottom and walked a short distance to lake edge. The gull perched on a log out on the lake that is commonly occupied with cormorants. This perch is also visible from a parking area on the way to the marina. Of course, the gull could be anywhere on the lake, provided that it sticks around. Gabe Hostetler Wooster --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]