A few more Turner's Falls Gulls - 12/11

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult, Barton Cove, Dec 9th.

Gull numbers still remain pretty low at Turner's Falls, with no more than 400 large gulls coming into roost on the ice at Barton Cove. I viewed from the Gill side of the river on Dec 9th and 11th and found a similar selection of species on both evenings with 1 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Kumlien's Iceland Gulls on the 9th, and 2 Lesser Black-backed and 4 Kumlien's Iceland Gulls on the 11th. About 600 Ring-billed Gulls remain in the area. Viewing conditions at Barton Cove are not that great. The proximity of viewable ice fluctuates all the time and it was much receded on Dec 11th. It's also difficult to get really close to the birds which I much prefer when 'gulling', but................

More exciting gull news just in from Connecticut - Nick Bonomo found an adult Thayer's Gull on the Windsor Landfill today (Dec 12th). Although only in view for a few minutes, Nick captured some excellent images which he's just posted on his blog. Nice job Nick!

Five species of gull - Barton Cove, Gill. Dec 12th. This shot contain no less than 3 Kumlien's Iceland Gulls (all first-cycle), an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, plus American Herring, Great Black-backed and Ring-billed Gulls. A single click will enlarge the image.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult with American Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Barton Cove.

Kumlien's Iceland Gulls - two first-cycle birds in the foreground.