gull id or another sandpiper of sorts?

[Thomas Boysen]

Sorry for another very imperfect picture. This id also has me totally stumped. Any help very much appreciated.
Taken August 27 just south of Haines, Alaska

Thomas

[John Chardine]

Hi Thomas- This is a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake, fledged in 2011. The dark "W" on the wing and the neck band, black tail tip and ear patch give it away. There is another species of kittiwake in Alaska (Red-legged), but they have a darker mantle, shorter bill and lack the dark patch on the inner portion of the wing, and have white tails. Young kittiwakes were considered a separate species in the past and called "Tarrocks".

[Thomas Boysen]

Thank you very much, John!