Little Gulls at North Point Sheboygan Wisconsin June 10, 2014

I decided to make a run up to North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin to see what gulls were hanging out. There have been some nice gull species reported and I was not let down. Literally 1,000’s of them with 2 Little Gulls – 1st summer, being the highlight for the day as we know they are not very common. Other gull species, 100’s of Bonaparte’s, along with the common Herring and Ring-billed gulls. I witnessed a confrontation with the 2 Little Gulls which was very exciting. The early morning sunlight  gave some beautiful color to these birds. Images were taken on June 10, 2014.

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Little Gull

Binomial name: Larus minutus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 11” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 4.2 oz.

Habitat: Typically breeds in shallow freshwater marshes and wetlands. Natural range is Central Europe east to southern Siberia. It is common to winter in small numbers along the east coast of North America and on the Great Lakes.

Diet: Small fish, aquatic insects and invertebrates

Nesting: A nest is built among marsh vegetation lined with grass and leaves. 2-6 eggs are laid olive-brown in color with dark spots.

Cool facts: Smallest gull in the world that is often found hanging out with the Bonaparte’s Gull.

Little Gull - 1st summer

Little Gull - 1st summer

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte's Gull behind.

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte’s Gull behind.

Little Gull - 1st summer

Little Gull - 1st summer

Stretching

Little Gull - 1st summer, stretching

Stretching

Little Gull - 1st summer, at takeoff!

Takeoff!

 

Little Gull - 1st summer

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte's Gull behind.

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte’s Gull behind.

Little Gull left, Ring-billed Gull middle, Bonaparte's Gull right.

Little Gull left, Ring-billed Gull middle, Bonaparte’s Gull right.

Little Gull right, Bonaparte's Gull left.

Little Gull right, Bonaparte’s Gull left.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation!

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation!

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

Resolved!

Resolved!

Landing!

Landing!

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Stretching!

Stretching!

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Going down!

Going down!

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Little Gull right-front, Bonaparte's Gull left and in back

Little Gull right-front, Bonaparte’s Gull left and in back.

Little Gull right-front, Bonaparte's Gull left and in back.

Little Gull right-front, Bonaparte’s Gull left and in back.

Landing!

Landing!

Takeoff!

Takeoff!

Little Gull

Photographs taken in North Point, Sheboygan, WI, on June 17, 2013.

Little Gull

Little Gull

Binomial name: Hydrocoloeus minutus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: Light gray body, gray wings with white wingtip and a black head.  In the winter, the black head will fade to white.  Dark red legs and a black bill.

Size: 10” – 12” long, 24” – 31” wingspan

Weight: 2.4 oz. – 5.7 oz.

Habitat: Freshwater shorelines of lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes

Diet: Flying insects, fish, crayfish, snails, and leeches

Nesting: The nest is made of floatable grasses or other vegetation and is usually built on the ground adjacent to shallow water.  The female will lay 1 brood per season with 1-4 eggs.  Although the chicks are able to begin leaving the nest after only 3 days, they take 3 years to reach maturity.

Notes: Commonly found across Europe and Asia, Little Gulls are rare birds in North America.  However, their numbers have been increasing since the 1960’s and they are regular visitors to both the East Coast and the Great Lakes of the Midwest.  They may be seen in flocks with Bonaparte’s Gulls.

Little Gull

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