Dear All 
 
I did the gentleman's tour of the Tidal Basin and Anacostia DC this morning. 
 
Starting early the Tidal Basin held a depleted flock of large gulls. 150 mostly GBBGs. Thence to the Washington Channel where 300 or so Ring bills plus c100 GBBGs/ Herrings.  Nothing of note. 
 
By the time I got to the Anacostia many of the gulls had headed out but as I started scanning a large white-winged gull flew over slowly heading upstream. Unfortunately it didn't stop and the views were not great but it was clearly a 1st winter Glaucous type. Had I not seen a couple of Nelsons in the last weeks I would have probably happily just called it a Glauc but I didn't see the wing tips v well nor the bill. It was however, large, broad winged with milky tea plumage tone with cinnamon/ginger notes.  I spent about 90 mins checking the various spots in Anacostia park to no avail. 
 
I did, however, find a group of 5 American Pipits working the wrack which were amongst the most confiding I have seen. 
 
I checked the basin again en route home and bumped in to Wallace, a nice surprise. 
 
Cheers 
 
Gary Allport 
 
Gallport at audubon dot org