I saw a report of a rare to the area, Short-billed Gull being seen at Whitefish Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan in Door County on July 23. I made 3 trips up to Door County over the last week to look for this gull and on the 3rd try today I was rewarded with finding the gull. The normal range for this gull is the US west coast through Alaska, it is considered a second-cycle gull. When I arrived at 8:00 am I was the only person on the beach and there was only 1 flock of 500 gulls to look through. I looked the flock over well twice in 30 minutes. Gulls were coming in as they do so I just continued to keep looking through them. All of the sudden right in front of me 75 feet away I spotted the gull. I finally found one different from the rest with a short bill, some brown on the upper back and grayish legs. This was different from the other Ring-billed Gulls and a few American Herring in the flock. I also spotted a Laughing Gull. To say the least, it was a very exciting moment after 2 other tries. There are other state records but it has been many years, someone said 2007 but I’m not sure on that. Formally called a Mew Gull. Original finder of this gull back on July 23 was Tom Prestby, a big thank you to him for the find and getting the word out for others to come try for this exciting gull. It was a pleasant morning with cloudy skies, and a light breeze off Lake Michigan with temps around 65 degrees. Images were taken on July 30, 2025. Wisconsin Life Bird #383
The Short-billed Gull…
Short-billed Gull stretching next to a Ring-billed Gull…
After some good time had passed a few visitors started walking the beach. This gull started to move around some with others, a few gulls took to the lake.
Some preening took place…
The Laughing Gull on the other end of the flock…this bird was flushed early on by walkers…
Your effort paid off. Outstanding photos.
Thanks for sharing a good look at this gull. It’s bill doesn’t look exceptionally short to me. It’s another case of a poor common name, I guess. Your determination paid off!