Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 04 Sep 2024
During this morning's hawk watch we observed small kettles of Broad-winged Hawks pushing north of the Lake Erie Metropark Boatlaunch site. I informed the group that I'd run down to Elizabeth Park to see if any of the birds are moving that far north.
I arrived at 1 pm and set up along the Detroit River just north of the Grosse Ile Free Bridge. Skies were clear, winds were low so it was very warm and humid. A big lunch made for a tiring afternoon.
The hawks were not visible this far north. A small kettle of Turkey Vultures (12) kept drifting across the river in both directions so they were not countable. But a few birds passed close enough to be photographed.
Out on the Detroit River a massive raft of Ring-billed Gulls and Herring Gulls were drifting south to the bridge then fly back north to join the main raft. Meanwhile, a single Ring-billed Gull landed next to my scope so I took a few pics.
A fly-by 1st year Herring Gull.
Since the hawks were not flying I decided to keep myself busy by counting gulls on the river. I got as far as 700 before I estimated the rest (2400 RBGU and 600 HEGU). Of interest were the number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls among them. Suspected 1st and 2nd year birds.
Compare their light heads and black bills with this 1st year Herring Gull that is all-brown.
A couple adults finally drifted into view.
Elizabeth Park (Trenton), Wayne, Michigan, US
Sep 4, 2024 12:50 PM - 2:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Sunny, hazy, warm, 77F. Winds SW 0-10 mph.
8 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 60
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 18
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 2400 Large raft on Detroit River north of Grosse Ile Free Bridge; approximately 600 Herring Gull with. Counted by singles to 700 and estimated rest
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 600 Detroit River n of Free Bridge. Among mostly RBGU (ratio 4:1).
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 8 Sub adults w black bills, checkered backs and smudgy heads w dark eye patch. Among approx 3000 RBGU and HEGU. Juv HEGU are all brown w black bills and no eye patch. Two adult w dark mantle and white head, yellow bill
gull sp. (Larinae sp.) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 4
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 12 Flying across river to Grosse Ile
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Sep 4, 2024 12:50 PM - 2:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Sunny, hazy, warm, 77F. Winds SW 0-10 mph.
8 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 60
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 18
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 2400 Large raft on Detroit River north of Grosse Ile Free Bridge; approximately 600 Herring Gull with. Counted by singles to 700 and estimated rest
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 600 Detroit River n of Free Bridge. Among mostly RBGU (ratio 4:1).
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 8 Sub adults w black bills, checkered backs and smudgy heads w dark eye patch. Among approx 3000 RBGU and HEGU. Juv HEGU are all brown w black bills and no eye patch. Two adult w dark mantle and white head, yellow bill
gull sp. (Larinae sp.) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 4
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 12 Flying across river to Grosse Ile
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
