Two distant flight shots of an adult Sabine's Gull in breeding plumage. A very rare and first time recorded visitor to our area. Note the distinctive black band at the back of the dark gray head, also note the yellow tip of the bill.

For a more detailed description and closer image, see posting by fellow Pbaser Chris (reflectionsofnature) at http://www.pbase.com/image/152631930 .

Previously only immature Sabine's Gull sightings have been recorded occasionally for our area. In 2011, I and others saw an immature Sabine's Gull nearby. The present, very rare, sighting of this mature Sabine's in breeding plumage was thus a pleasant surprise for many Ottawa area Nature Photographers and Birders alike.