Glaucous-winged Gull at Prairie du Sac Dam in Sauk County Wisconsin on February 18, 2024

Late Saturday afternoon I got wind of a very rare for Wisconsin, an adult Glaucous-winged Gull, being reported at the Prairie du Sac Dam in Sauk County. This gull noamally winters on the west coast of California and breeds along the west coast of Canada and Alaska in the summer. I needed this bird for my Wisconsin life list so I thought I might as well try for it. I arrived there at the dam early morning with plenty darkness. As it got lighter more birders showed up. It was seen by a couple of birders about 30 minutes after it got light but I did not get my eyes on it. There were easily 200 plus gulls flying over the Wisconsin River so it was very challenging to spot for this gull. After another hour or so had passed, it was once again re-found and I got some distant photos shooting into the sun just below the dam. It gave nice views but photos were another story. It was seen for 5 minutes and then it was out of sight again. It was a sunny morning with mild temps with a little bit of a breeze. Photos taken on February 18, 2024. Wisconsin life bird #376.

Ancient Murrelet at George Pinney County Park in Door County Wisconsin on November 21, 2023

It was 12 noon and I saw a message of a Ancient Murrelet in Door County! The exact location was George Pinney County Park. It looked like a 3 hour drive and it looked like I had enough daylight to get there with some time to look for it. Wow, what a great bird and rare bird for the state. They winter on the California coast and breed on the west coast from Canada thru Alaska. When I arrived there were a group of birders on the bird which was about 75-100 feet from shore. It was diving often and gave nice looks when up. Wow again on this bird! A big thank you to the person who found this bird and got the word out for others to see it. I hope it hangs around for a while. My Wisconsin life bird #375. Another Ancient Murrelet was also seen in Ashland County Wisconsin just yesterday. It was a cloudy day with a light breeze out of the north. Images were taken on November 21, 2023

The Ancient Murrelet…

The Ancient Murrelet did a lot of diving while I was there…

Iceland Gull at Frame Park on the Fox River in Waukesha on November 20, 2023

I typically stop at the Fox River in the mornings this time of year when birding and it has really been quiet. Today was the first surprise this fall with a 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies. I have never seen one before on the Fox River. It is a place where Ring-billed Gulls hang out year round. A couple of Ring-billed Gulls dived at this bird while I was there, it looked like they did not want it around. After a few minutes looking up and down the river I turned around and the gull was gone, but probably still in the area. It was a gloomy morning with cloudy skies, low winds, but mild temps for this time of year. Images were taken on November 20, 2023.

The 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies…

With a Ring-billed Gull…

Taking off…

Black-headed Gull at South Side Municipal Beach in Sheboygan Wisconsin on June 13, 2022

I saw a report of a rare Black-headed Gull found at Sheboygan’s North Point late evening. I got up early and headed to Sheboygan and was there at sun up. After doing some searching at different locations and coming up empty I got a message that there were a lot of Bonaparte Gulls at South Side Municipal Beach. I checked it out and there were a 1,000 gulls there! I messaged a bunch of birding friends that were at North Point and they came over to help in the search. After looking about 45 minutes the gull was found. We all stayed very far away from the gulls as they took a large section of the beach shoreline, not wanting to flush them. It was preening most of the time and hard to spot. All I could capture was one photo from the event but it was enough to make it my 369th Wisconsin life bird. It was a gorgeous morning with temps around 58 degrees, low winds and sunshine. Images were taken on June 13, 2022.

The Black-headed Gull in the middle of the photo with the reddish bill…

A small part of the overall gull population on the beach…

One time a walker flushed the birds, they took to the sky but returned…

In search of the Black-headed Gull…the gulls a long ways away…

California Gull at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on October 20, 2020

I saw the report of a California Gull, rare for this area at  Johnson Creek and decided to check it out this morning. Far from it’s normal range of the west coast but some do come inland a few states off breeding season. I arrived at the location reported, a new large concrete Kwik Trip parking lot still under construction north of the interstate.  When I arrived, present was Jim F in his car and had the gull already located. So that made it easy for me with the couple of hundred gulls present with some always coming and going. The gull did stand out though with the mantle being a little darker and the gull being a little larger than a Ring-billed Gull. It was resting when I arrived, eyes closed I would say. After about 25 minutes the gull coughed up a large pellet, I thought wow! A few minutes later it took flight and headed east towards the landfill. I noticed the gull only had one foot. A big thank you to Spence, Christin and Sandra for finding this awesome rare gull and getting the word out. Not a lifer as I saw one here back at this location in 2012. It was a cold cloudy morning, with some wind making it feel pretty cold! Images were taken on October 20, 2020.

The California Gull…with Ring-billed Gulls…

Resting when I arrived…

A wing stretch, leg stretch…1 foot…using its wing to balance…

Coughing up that LARGE pellet, which gulls do…

Maybe more to come but other gulls, Ring-billed Gulls looking on…

It was just time to take off I guess and head to the landfill…

The gulls were not flushed, it was just time to go…

Heading east…

The bill…

Preening…

Another one of when I arrived…

Bonaparte’s Gulls at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 15, 2019

I birded some of the lakefront this morning in Milwaukee and it was pretty slow. The only place I could find a little action was north of McKinley Beach at the gravel beach. There were Bonaparte’s Gulls  feeding heavy there, about 20 of them, thinking these are all adults.  Some Ring-billed Gulls were also present standing on the shore by the Bonaparte’s and appeared they weren’t happy that someone was in their fishing spot! After some shots, more Ring-billed Gulls came in and I left. I photographed the Bonaparte’s Gulls last year a few feet away at McKinley Beach on April 16, one day off! It was a beautiful morning even though there was 3″ of snow on the ground with 29 degrees when I walked along the shore. Images were taken on April 15, 2019.

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Something in the bill to eat…

Something in the bill, feeding on crustaceans or marine worms…

Something in the bill, probably feeding on crustaceans or marine worms…

Looking for something to eat, then the heads goes down and they get it…

Something in the bill…

Flying by…

Flying by….

Just before landing…

How they are grouped up sometimes when they feed along the shore, they sit in the waves at the shore…this is typical…

A close up…

Turning the head to grab something here…

Just looking for something to eat…

One of the Ring-billed Gulls watches from the shore, they are in my fishing spot!

Herring Gull enjoys some of a Rock Bass at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on February 20, 2019

I just birded around some of the Waukesha area today with the snowy-misty weather. I stopped at a couple places in Waukesha along the Fox River and the highlight was a Herring Gull eating a Rock Base that it had just captured. I’m not sure how it actually got the fish but I can assume it dove for it. When I saw the Herring Gull on the ice at waters edge, the fish was still flopping around. The gull stabbed the Rock Bass very many times to finally kill it while taking bites in between. It took quite a few stabs to really put this fish out! When it appeared to be finished eating the fish for the time being, it rinsed the fish in the river, what was left of it and set it back on the ice, maybe for later.  At the end of the event, the gull went in for a drink.  It was misting out with 32 degrees during the event with gray skies. Images were taken on February 20, 2019

*Some images could be graphic*

Herring Gull stabbing the Rock Bass when I approached…

Turning the fish over…

Taking a few steps with the fish as it had slide towards the water…

Going to set the fish down…

Tail of the fish still moving…

A bite to eat here…

Taking a couple of bites…the tail still moving…

More bites…

Here, pulling something off to eat…

Eating some of the good stuff in side, some of the entrails…

More good stuff…

And more good stuff…

Picking up the fish and taking it over to the water for a rinse…

Just before the rinse…

The rinse…

Then back up on the ice…

Then a short walk to set it down…

Setting the fish down…

At the end, the gull goes in for a drink…

Arctic Tern in Sheboygan Wisconsin on June 15, 2018

After returning home from birding some of the lakefront in Milwaukee in the morning I realized my birding was not finished for the day. I saw the rare bird report of an Arctic Tern found by Amy K up at Sheboygan. I needed this bird for my Wisconsin state life list so I decided to make the run up around 12:30 pm. My last try for this species was back on May 21, 2016 when there was one present at the time of seeing the famous White-winged Tern in Manitowoc, but I missed that bird by a day. I got a hold of Amy and she told me exactly where she saw the Arctic Tern and from where. I picked up Bruce on the way up as he had an interest in seeing this bird. We arrived around 2:00 pm and went to the hot spot, the Blue Harbor Pier. We could see very many gulls and some terns from the pier on the rocks in the harbor, but unfortunately it was too far to get an ID. We tried by the sailing club and met Barry B there, but could not ID the Arctic Tern 100% from there with the distance. None of us brought a scope! We knew our only hope was to wait for a birder with a scope to show up. Along came Davor G with his scope. We headed back over to the pier and with in a minute or two Davor had the tern in his scope. The bird was about 1/4 mile away from us so images are not much, just a couple of doc shots. Big thank you to Amy K for finding the rare bird and getting the word out to others, and Davor for nailing this bird in his scope. There was a lot of excitement had with all of us and a few birders that showed up after the big find. A mostly sunny period when I was there, stiff breeze off the lake where, felt very cool and it made me have to have two light coats on. Images were taken on June 15, 2018.

Arctic Tern surrounded by Common Terns…bird is a couple inches above the round hole in the rock…image taken at about 1/4 mile from tern..

Red arrow to see the tern location…just above the round hole in the rock…

Arctic Tern

Binomial name: Sterna paradisaea

Category: Gulls, Tern, and Skimmers

Size: 12” long, 31” wing span

Weight: 3.9 oz

Note: Breeding grounds for this species is the High Arctic and wintering is in the Antarctic, migrating across the oceans each year, what a distance!

Preening…

Head turned in as it was preening…

A Laughing Gull was also present giving nice views at a distance from the Sailing Club…

Caspian Terns at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 18, 2018

Birding along the Milwaukee lakefront I found my first Caspian Terns of the year. From the parking lot I saw 3 on the beach nearby a flock of Ring-billed Gulls. When I got on the beach area, 1 lone tern was present as pedestrians were in the area and must have flushed the other 2 birds. The bird took to the sky twice as I stood at a distance and observed. Only new birds for the year I saw today. A cloudy day, still cold around 30 degrees with the wind out of the north with more snow expected. Images were taken on April 18, 2018.

Caspian Tern

In flight…

Bonaparte’s Gulls at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 16, 2018

Stopping at McKinley Beach this morning gave nice views of Bonaparte’s Gulls feeding in the wave action hitting the shore. We see them for a very short time in spring in migration so I tried to capture some of what they do while they make brief stops in the area heading north. It was a light snow flurry day with cool temps and still winter coat weather even though it is mid April with good snow on the ground. Images were taken on April 16, 2018

Bonaparte’s Gulls lined up along the wave action on the shoreline finding things to eat…

Something to eat in the bill….

Watching and waiting for the next piece of food….

Just waiting for the sight of food…

Feeding on the wave…

It’s a matter of survival, in search of food, it’s all eyes…

Looking and waiting for food…has something on the left…

One on the left has something…

On shore, did some preening….

Something in the bill…

Trying to balance here…

Just flew in…

It is all about getting something to eat…

Just flew in…

Got something to eat here..

Reaching for something….

Laughing Gull at the Port Washington Harbor in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on February 28, 2018

I made a run up to Port Washington in Ozaukee County early this morning in hopes to see the Laughing Gull that was reported yesterday. Upon arriving at 7:00 am, I could see the adult Laughing Gull after making about 10 steps away from the car.  Wow, what a stunning gull! This gull is rare here as it is a East Coast bird that. The gull was located at the rough beach-sandy shore on the north end of the marina. The bird pretty much ate most of the time I observed it, on and off during a 3 hour stay, I traveled to Coal Dock Park for awhile and then returned. Ring-billed Gulls gave it a hard time on and off with a little chasing. The harbor was full of gulls everywhere you looked. Hopefully more rare birds will be found at this location as it has been really great most of the winter. Birders I have not seen for awhile showed for this gull, Daryl T, Tom W, Ted K and John M. We all had a fun time enjoying the great show the gull put on and talking bird stories too. A big thank you to Barry Baumann for finding this bird yesterday and getting the word out for others to see it. This was not a life bird as I saw one at Coal Dock Park back in June of 2014. It was a beautiful morning with mild temps, low winds, and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on February 28, 2018.

Laughing Gull, wet head just after some bathing…

Laughing Gull

Binomial name: Larus Atricilla

Category: Gulls,Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 16.5” long, 40” wing span

Weight: 11 Oz

Cool Fact: Normal range for this gull is the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States.

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, wet head, series of the gull bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Preening…

Typically setting today for the Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gulls everywhere!

Ring-billed Gull charging the Laughing Gull some, this happened frequently…

More feeding…this was on going…

Feeding…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…..it was all fish eaters there today!

 

 

 

Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on January 18, 2018

I went out to Johnson Creek, just north of the Kohl’s store out lots to check out a few gulls. Lots of gulls present, could have been ~300. Two gulls I could ID were the Glaucous Gull and a Lesser Black-blacked Gull. The Glaucous Gull, what I think is a 1st cycle, I only saw for a short time. It had a piece of what looked like meat from the landfill across the highway. A couple other Herring Gulls were close by wanting a piece of that meat. After some interaction, the Glaucous Gull took to the sky with the meat and that was the last I saw of it. The Lesser Black-backed Gull just sat or stood at a distance, stayed by it self. It was a bright sunny day with temps getting near 30 degrees, it felt good to see a warm up coming. Fun to watch a little gull action for a change. Images were taken on January 18, 2018.

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle with a piece of meat in the snow in front of it with Herring Gulls around…

Glaucous Gull checking out the meat…

Glaucous Gull taking a look around…

Glaucous Gull, going to get out of here with this prize…

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull, going to the sky, the last I saw of this bird …

Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult

Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult

Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult

Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult

Franklin’s Gull at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 8, 2017

I made a stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee for a first stop checking the beach area this morning. The beach was quiet. I ran into Dave G there and I said I was heading to McKinley Beach, he said he was there earlier this morning and it was empty. Since I was at the lakefront I made the drive over and within a flock of about 25 Ring-billed Gulls I saw a gull with a light black head. I knew this was going to be something good and it was, a Franklin’s Gull, juvenile (1st cycle). Dave followed me over he also got few shots off before the gull took to the air and headed south for what appeared to be no apparent reason. The gull was just preening so it makes sense what the gull had in mind I think. It was a short lived burst of excitement in the birding world as we just don’t see Franklin’s along the lake very often. The highlight of the day with not much else to report along the north side of Milwaukee’s lakefront. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, mild temps and very little wind. Images were taken on October 8, 2017.

Franklin’s Gull

Binomial name: Larus pipixcan

Category: Gulls, Terns and Skimmers

Size: 14.5” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 10 oz

Stretching before the flight…

Some preening…

Franklin’s Gull, left – Ring-billed Gull, right

The back view..

The Bonaparte’s Gull in migration at Grant Park on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 1, 2017

I hit Grant Park this morning with hopes to see some shorebirds. There were no shorebirds present but the Bonaparte’s Gull numbers were very impressive way out on the water. Only one time did one land on the beach when I was there. For the most part they were either moving north, sometimes south, and sometimes they would land for resting and feeding. Literally 1,000’s and 1,000’s of them what a treat to see! It would have been nice to have a different lens for this type of photography to get a better picture of the mass of gulls there were as it went as far as I could see north and south on the lake. It was a pleasant morning for a few hours but rain is on it’s way again. Images were taken on May 1, 2017.

One on the beach was it…

Some gulls were flying, some feeding and some resting…

Note the line of gulls on the horizon went on for as far as you could see in both directions

2-Bonaparte’s Gulls, adult in breeding plumage, 1 – 1st winter, correct me if I’m wrong.

Slaty-backed Gull at Northridge Lakes in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 13, 2017

I had been birding the lakefront in Milwaukee when I got a call from Mike W, thanks Mike. He stated Tom W had found a Slaty-backed Gull at Northridge Lakes. With a quick ride over there, and some birders having it in their scopes it put a spike in what looked like might be a quiet day birding. The bird stayed in one spot the whole time I was there of about 30 minutes. It stood and rested while I was there along with the preening. It raised its wings once and I capture a couple of shots of what is known as the ‘string of pearls’,  spots on the outer primaries. Other birds to note, it was said that there were 2 Glaucous Gulls, 1-adult, 1-immature and 4 Kumlien’s, 3-adults, 1-juvenile, I did not see all of them. A big thank you to Tom W for finding this nice bird and getting the word out for others to see. A mild day with temps around 40 with full sun, light breeze made for a pleasant morning out. Images were taken on February 13, 2017.

Slaty-backed Gull, with the wing up you can see the 'sting of pearls'

Slaty-backed Gull, with the wing up you can see the ‘string of pearls’ on the primaries

Slaty-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus schistisagus

Category: Gulls, Tern. and Skimmers

Size: 25” long, 58” wing span

Weight: 3.0 lb

Note: An Asian gull that is considered a rare breeder on the west coast of Alaska and is a very rare visitor to North America.

Standing in the middle

Standing in the middle

The way it was...

The way it was…

Going down to rest

Going down to rest

Resting

Resting

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Doing a stretch

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Just another shot

Just another shot

Glaucous Gulls at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on February 3, 2017

I have not been out to Johnson Creek in Jefferson County lately so I gave it a try mid morning. There were a lot of gulls over the dump but only a couple hundred loafed at the Kohl’s outlot south of I94. It was nice to see 2 Glaucous Gulls in the small group there. There was 1- 1st cycle and 1- adult present. They took flight a few times as there must have been something in the area that spooked them. A very cold day with some wind but the sun made it feel not too bad. Images were taken on February 3, 2017.

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull

Binomial name: Larus hyperboreus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 27” long, 60” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

Habitat: This large gulls breeding grounds are in the northern arctic. It spends its winters farther north than most gulls on coasts, lakes, urban areas, dumps and agricultural fields. Mostly breeds along shorelines of the seacoast, rivers and lakes, also refuse dumps. These gulls are usually not found inland.

Diet: It captures prey such as plovers, small ducks, ptarmigans, auks, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. It also scavenges dead fish, carrion, garbage and dead animal matter.

Nesting: The nest is a shallow bowl constructed of twigs, grasses, sedges, moss and sometimes feathers. The nest is located on cliff edges, grass slopes above cliffs, islands or ponds on the tundra. 3 eggs are usually laid brown in color with dark brown spots.

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle in the middle, it just landed

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle loafing

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle loafing

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult loafing

Glaucous Gull, adult loafing

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, adult

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 27, 2016

I started birding the lakefront in Milwaukee mid morning and my first stop moving south was the Petroleum Pier. Lots of ducks but nothing odd. I ran into Jym M there and he said he just saw a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club. After hitting a few more places I stopped at the SSYC and the Kumlien’s Iceland was still present but out a ways by itself. After awhile it came in closer and gave some nice views. After a dog walker flushed everything away I left. Other birds to note there, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneyes and many Greater Scaup. This is the 3rd year in a row a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull has been at the club in winter. A beautiful bird! I walked from McKinley Marina to Lakeshore State Park and it was 1,000 plus ducks that were mainly Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneyes. Images were taken on December 27, 2016.

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Kumlien’s Iceland Gull

Binomial name: Larus glaucoides

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 22” long, 54” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb

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Eating mussels

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Eating mussels

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Eating mussels

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Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2015-2016 winter images link:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/kumliens-iceland-gull-at-the-shore-yacht-club-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-on-december-15-2015/

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2014-2015 winter images link:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/kumliens-iceland-gull-great-black-backed-gulls-south-shore-yacht-club-milwaukee-wisconsin-february-8-2015/

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Ring-necked Duck, male

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler – female

Common Goldeneye, male

Common Goldeneye, male

Black-legged Kittiwake at the mouth of the Fox River in Green Bay Wisconsin on December 12, 2016

I made the run up to Green Bay early morning to see if the juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake was still present. It was at light broke in the bay area. The bird circled around the east side of the river opening near the old pier walk structure. Typically what I noticed this morning was after a few circles around, it sat out in the water farther out by itself. It did that for 15-20 minutes then did some more hunting and feeding around the structure. For almost an hour it was no where to be seen. As it got towards 10 am I watched it fly way out and landed in with a couple hundred Ring-billed Gulls on a sheet of ice. That is  probably where it was earlier when it was not around as I thought I saw it a few feet off the ice with those gulls but it was very far out confirm. A fun but cold morning, stiff wind made it feel like January. The sun shinned for only for a minute or two. Very cool life bird that I can finally add to my life list. The normal range for this bird is breeding in the arctic on the coasts and winters on the eastern and western US coasts. A big thank you to Willson Gaul for finding this exciting bird and getting the word out to the birding community. Images were taken on December 12, 2016.

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Black-legged Kittiwake

Binomial name: Rissa tridactyla

Category: Gulls, Tern, and Skimmers

Size: 17” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 14 oz

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Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

A quick dip in the water

A quick dip in the water

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Takeoff

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Franklin’s Gulls at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on May 31, 2016

I decided to make a run up to North Point in Sheboygan this morning. At least 7 Franklin’s Gulls were the highlight. It was constant birds coming and going there which always makes it exciting as to what might show up there. Franklin’s Gulls, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Ring-billed along with some Common Terns were the main species present. It was very cold when I got there and once the sun finally showed it made things just better. Images were taken on May 31, 2016.

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Franklin’s Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Binomial name: Larus pipixcan

Category: Gulls, Terns and Skimmers

Size: 14.5” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 10 oz

Franklin's Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin's Gulls

Franklin’s Gulls

5 Franklin's Gulls

5 Franklin’s Gulls

Franklin's Gulls

Franklin’s Gulls

Franklin's Gull with fish and Bonaparte's Gull front

Franklin’s Gull with fish and Bonaparte’s Gull front

Franklin's Gull finding food

Franklin’s Gull finding food

Franklin's Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin's Gull with fish

Franklin’s Gull with fish

Franklin's Gull with Ring-billed Gull, size comparison image

Franklin’s Gull with Ring-billed Gull, size comparison image

Franklin's Gulls

Franklin’s Gulls

Franklin's Gulls, 3 preening

Franklin’s Gulls, 3 preening

Franklin's Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin's Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin's Gull preening

Franklin’s Gull preening

Franklin's Gull eating bugs off a stick

Franklin’s Gull eating bugs off a stick

Common Tern

Common Tern

Common Tern

Common Tern

 

White-winged Tern at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc Wisconsin on May 21, 2016

I saw the report of the rare White-winged Tern at the Manitowoc Impoundment in the later afternoon. I had to make the run and try to see the extremely rare bird for the state. It was said today that this is the 2nd state record for this bird in Wisconsin and the previous record goes back to 1873. The normal range for this bird is throughout Eurasia. The White-winged Gull, was formally known as White-winged Black Tern. How nice to have this visitor stop in Wisconsin. When I arrived I just looked for the crowd out on a pier, that was the place I had to go to. The bird was present when I arrived and took to flight a few times. The Bonaparte’s Gulls present did not seem to like having it around. Lots of Terns and Gulls were present, with numbers well into the 100’s maybe a 1,000. A couple of Little Gulls were also present. Thanks to Charles S and Jeff H for finding this bird, id-ing the bird, and Tom S for getting the word out to others. It just might be a once in a life time to see this bird here in Wisconsin. It was a fun time with birding friends and meeting some new on a beautiful late May evening. These are distant images but the bird was always a long ways off. Images were taken on May 21, 2016.

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

Binomial name: Chlidonias leucopterus

Category: Gulls, Tern, and Skimmers

Size: 9.5” long, 23” wing span

Weight: 2.2 oz

Bonaparte's Gull with the White-winged Tern

Bonaparte’s Gull with the White-winged Tern, in front

White-winged Tern, in the middle with Caspian Terns

White-winged Tern, in the middle with Caspian Terns

Bonaparte's Gulls with the White-winged Tern (in front)

Bonaparte’s Gulls with the White-winged Tern, in front

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

Bonaparte's Gull with the White-winged Tern, in front

Bonaparte’s Gull with the White-winged Tern, in front

White-winged Tern with a Bonaparte's Gull

White-winged Tern with a Bonaparte’s Gull

White-winged Tern on the shore

White-winged Tern on the shore

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White-winged Tern, in the middle just after takeoff from the shore

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Little Gull

Little Gull

Little Gull

Little Gull