My Birdchat friends struck again when they posted the sighting of an Ivory Gull, one of the few remaining Class 2 and 3 birds I have not seen, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I had to wait until after the Holiday to make the trip for it and, deciding that time was of the essence, hopped a commuter flight from Dayton, OH to Toronto, ON on Wednesday, 12/27, rented a car and arrived at Humber Bay Park in Toronto before noon. I met several birders there who gave me the news that the bird had not been seen that day at all. Not easily discouraged and having nothing to do but wait it out, I decided to hang around as they all left to check other areas where the bird might be. Each promised to return for me if the bird were found elsewhere, but no one came back. Meanwhile all the ducks, mergansers, and a red-necked grebe made for some excellent birding.

I finally took a break for lunch about 2:00 and returned to the spot before 3:00. I was cold and discouraged by 3:30 and moved the rental car (a very nice Tahoe 4WD) around to the side of the lagoon where we had all been watching for it so I could observe most of the area from the relative comfort of the car. At 3:43, with no other birders in sight, the Ivory Gull flew by from east to west. I must have seen it for all of five seconds as it swooped across the lagoon and disappeared over the boat yards in the western section of the park. I drove to the western section but could not rediscover the bird.

After a night in a hotel I returned to Humber Bay Park about 9:30 am on Thursday, 12/28, and looked for the bird again, but had no luck. In fact, there were so few gulls that it was difficult to maintain my interest and I decided about 10:45 to return the rental car and await my flight home.

All this for a five second sighting in mediocre light, enough for an identification, but far from a satisfactory look. I think most of us call this a BVD (better view desired) bird. Thanks to those chatters who posted this one. I hope there will be others.

This brings me down to three of the "easy" birds (Class 1, 2, 3) still remaining on my want list: Emperor Goose, Curlew Sandpiper, and McKay's Bunting.