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!
Great photos, Jim! I’m happy to know the gulls are on the way north.