First New Jersey Record--Mew Gull

This afternoon I got a text from Frank Sencher, Jr. that a Greater White-fronted Goose was at nearby Spruce Run Reservoir.  I headed over there and was able to see the goose.  We then headed over to the other side of the reservoir to scope out the gulls.  Within a couple of minutes I spotted this bird, fortunately easily visible on the edge of the flock on the ice.

Mew Gull, Spruce Run Reservoir, Hunterdon County, NJ 1-10-2013

I called Frank over and within minutes he was texting and calling everyone to get the word out.  Fortunately another half dozen birders were able to get to the reservoir before the bird flew off with most of the flock an hour later at dusk.

Here are a few more photos, and more are posted on my Flickr page.

Apparently this will be a first record for New Jersey if accepted by the bird record committee.  Not a bad way to end the day--or start the year, for that matter :-)