A super rare gull, a Kelp Gull is currently nesting with an American Herring Gull on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. The nest is on top of a cargo warehouse on Jones Island along Lake Michigan. The Kelp Gull is typically found in Southern South American, Africa, New Zealand and Australia, so it is very rare even in the US. Thoughts now are that it may have nested at the same location last year. Where this gull goes when not at the nest is unknown. Both adults appear to take turns protecting the chick near the nest (5-10′ from nest), but sometimes too, both adults are present. After some time had passed the Kelp Gull decided to take to the sky and head east then north out over the lake. An amazing find by Tom Schultz while biking across the Hoan Bridge during a biking event at the lakefront early May. The Kelp Gull identification was confirmed by Amar Ayyash. This would obviously be a Wisconsin state life bird for me so it was a must for me to check it all out. It was a beautiful morning out arriving at 5:30 AM with temps around 58 degrees and a good wind off the lake out of the east, mostly sunny skies while I was there. I had my winter close on! Lifebird #381 for Wisconsin. Images were taken on June 14, 2025.
The Kelp Gull with the Kelp x American Herring Gull (hybrid) chick
The mate, the American Herring Gull with the hybrid chick…also a couple of American Herring chicks on the left…
Decided to leave the nest area and head east and then north over the lake…
Both the Kelp and American Herring Gull with the chick on the nest…the chick is looking at us…
Nest is at end of the red arrow…
Some gull harassing going on here…
Kelp Gull next to nest…
