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SABINE'S GULL at Lake Norman



Birders,
Dave Wright and I decided to do a little birding by boat today at Lake Norman 
north of Charlotte, NC since David had seen over 50 terns at the lake on 
9-21. At 4:30 PM an immature SABINE'S GULL flew by the boat. We were able to get 
great video as it sat on the water with 2 ring-billed gulls about 50 yards from 
us. Later, Rob Van Epps was able to scope the gulls from the end of Torrence 
Chapel Rd. accessible from exit 28 off of I-77. The gulls were hanging around 
an area that is the winter gull roost on the lake. If the bird hangs around it 
will probably return to this area in the late afternoon. From exit 28 in 
Cornelius, NC, take the exit and go west. Turn right on Torrence Chapel Rd soon 
after exiting the interstate. Go all the way to the end where there will be a 
sign that says "Private Drive" . Keep straight and look closely on the right for 
a driveway with a cable across it. This is a right-of- way access to a 
pumping station for the town of Davidson. Park in front of the cable and walk a few 
yards to the lake where you will see a long concrete pier with pumps at the 
end. From shore scope the lake straight out.  This is the 2ND SABINES GULL from 
Lake Norman, the first was 9-4-95 in the same general area ! Also seen at the 
lake today were 4 tern species: FORSTER'S, COMMON, CASPIAN, and BLACK , (total 
individual terns 35).

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com