Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 18
Weather: Sunny, unseasonably warm 60F, Wind 7MPH SE
Bird Species: 16
This was our third annual Gull Identification field trip with Bobbi Manion and Dennis Hrehowsik and it was a great success, once again. We had several return attendees, and many prospective new larophiles. Bobbi and Dennis did a wonderful job of imparting their knowledge to us: teaching us how to differentiate gull species, and also how to age individuals.
We began the trip by looking out at the ocean which had a noticeable lack of waterfowl. In previous years, we would usually see loons, scoters, and perhaps some Common Eiders. On this day, which was warmer than last year’s trip, we had only one Common Loon. But since our purpose was to study gulls, we turned our attention back to the beach, where we had gulls aplenty to ponder, as well as many Black Skimmers. Looking back towards the ocean from time to time as the day progressed, we observed many Northern Gannets feeding out there– always fun to see.
Once again, thanks to our wonderful leaders, and to a very engaged and enthusiastic group of participants, this trip was both a joy and a big success.
Species Lists
Birds
Brant
Rock Pigeon
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Peregrine Falcon
European Starling
House Sparrow
