Great Black-backed Gull 2nd Cycle at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on January 16, 2016

The highlight this morning while birding some of Milwaukee’s lakefront was a Great Black-backed Gull 2nd cycle. A Great Black-backed adult was also in the area but remained far off shore just hanging out by itself. Images were taken on January 16, 2016 on a very cold, sunny morning with a steady breeze.

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Hanging out with a Ring-billed left

Hanging out with a Herring Gull left

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Landing gear coming down!

Landing gear coming down!

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Herring Gull right

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Ring-billed Gulls

Ring-billed Gulls

Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach on December 4, 2015

One of the birding moments today was watching a couple of adult Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee. One of the birds was shy and only came in once, and a walker flushed it. The other had only one thing on it’s mind, eating, and that was part of a dead fish at waters edge. A couple of days ago, I could not even get on the beach, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls were present that day and when I set foot on the beach they headed out on to the water. Today, this food was a factor, I was within 100 feet of many gulls as were walkers and the one Great Black-backed Gull with in them never moved, it worked on the fish, but it did keep an eye on me the whole time too. Had a little confrontation with a couple of Herring Gulls but overall not much trouble. The Herring and Ring-billed Gulls that were around  pretty much kept their distance and respected this gulls space. I noticed this gull took the dead fish and dragged it into the water numerous times and out, it appeared it was washing the dead fish as it ate it. One time it looked like it was going to cover the dead fish up with bills full of algae but that process did not go far. At the end, the Great Black-backed Gull had appeared to have filled up and took to the air, then sitting far out on the lake bathing. A couple of Herring Gulls took over the piece of fish. The only other highlight today was seeing 2 Hermit Thrushes at Grant Park in Milwaukee below a bluff. Other than that a slow day birding where I was, few ducks out on the lake for this time of year. Beautiful day out with mild temps and sun, low winds. Images were taken on December 4, 2015.

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Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family.  White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings.  The wings have white wingtips.  Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

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Getting the dead fish back out of the water

The Great Black-backed Gull retrieves the dead fish it just put in the water, evidently for washing

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A Herring Gull watching, would love to get some of that fish!

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A Herring Gull watching, would love to get some of that fish!

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Taking a drink

Taking a drink

Taking a drink

Taking a drink

Taking a drink

Taking a drink

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Dragging it back out of the water after possible washing

Got flushed by a jogger but is coming back in

Got flushed by a jogger but is coming back in

Not wasting any time getting back to that fish!

Not wasting any time getting back to that fish with a Herring Gull on the left.

A little confrontation

A little confrontation

A little confrontation

A little confrontation

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A little confrontation

A little confrontation

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Herring Gull left, Ring-billed Gull right

Herring Gull left, Ring-billed Gull right

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Gull is full, time to get out on the lake!

Gull is full, time to get out on the lake!

Gull is full, time to get out on the lake!

Gull is full, time to get out on the lake!

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Wings down!

Wings down!

Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 28, 2015

I hit Milwaukee’s lakefront early this morning and it was pretty quiet. The only highlight were 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, adults nonbreeding at Bradford Beach. They came and went but at one time 3 were on the beach within ~20 feet of each other. They mostly hung out in the water with walkers on the beach. Great Black-backed Gulls have always been skittish with me, you just will not be on the beach with them. Step a foot on the beach and they are gone! There was a little harassing from Herring Gulls but that was limited. Bruce showed up, Jym showed up later and he just had 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the marina along with a Thayer’s Gull. We thought we had a Lesser Black-backed Gull early on but could not confirm it. Jen and John showed up too and we all watch the Great Black-backed Gulls while they hung around for the most part out in the lake. There was a stiff wind out of the north and it made for a very cold morning, but it was a fun time out birding with friends! Weather like this for almost the 1st of December, we will take it. Images were taken on November 28, 2015.

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Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family.  White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings.  The wings have white wingtips.  Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

Habitat: Rocky and sandy coastal shorelines, ponds, lakes, and marshes

Diet: 50% or more of their diet is often garbage or human refuse.  They also eat fish, insects, crabs, smaller birds, chick eggs, and land animals such as rats.

Nesting: Both parents build several nests on or near stacks of rocks or fallen logs. The female chooses the best one, and it is lined with grass, seaweed, and other vegetation or garbage such as rope and pieces of plastic.  The female will lay a clutch of 3 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 28 days.  Both parents raise the hatchlings, take turns finding food.  The breeding pair will reuse the same nesting site year after year.

Notes: Great Black-backed Gull feathers were used in clothing while feathers were fashionable in the late 1800’s.  Once the trend ended, populations began to increase.  This trend continues with the increase in refuse sites across North America and Europe.

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3 Great Black-backed Gull on the beach!

Distant shot of 3 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach!

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They all want some of the food, with a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

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They all want some of the food, with a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

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With a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

Under the wing

Under the wing

Back view

Back view

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Just took a drink!

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Great Black-backed Gull at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 16, 2014

I did some birding on Milwaukee’s lakefront late morning today. The highlight was a 2nd cycle Great Black-backed Gull at Bradford Beach. This bird was born in summer of 2013. Also still hanging around was the beautiful Glaucous Gull that has been in the area since about October 8th. They hung out in the same area on the beach. It was another day of clouds with a little mist thrown in, but a pleasant day with mild temps. There was a little excitement when the Glaucous Gull was defending its territory with a Herring Gull. The Great Black-backed Gull typically breeds in Northeastern Canada and winters along the eastern US coast. Once in awhile a couple are found along the great lakes during migration. If I have some mislabeled please let me know, thank you! Images were taken on October 16-17, 2014.

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Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family.  White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings.  The wings have white wingtips.  Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

Habitat: Rocky and sandy coastal shorelines, ponds, lakes, and marshes

Diet: 50% or more of their diet is often garbage or human refuse.  They also eat fish, insects, crabs, smaller birds, chick eggs, and land animals such as rats.

Nesting: Both parents build several nests on or near stacks of rocks or fallen logs. The female chooses the best one, and it is lined with grass, seaweed, and other vegetation or garbage such as rope and pieces of plastic.  The female will lay a clutch of 3 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 28 days.  Both parents raise the hatchlings, take turns finding food.  The breeding pair will reuse the same nesting site year after year.

Notes: Great Black-backed Gull feathers were used in clothing while feathers were fashionable in the late 1800’s.  Once the trend ended, populations began to increase.  This trend continues with the increase in refuse sites across North America and Europe.

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Preening

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Preening

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Preening

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With fish

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With fish

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With fish

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Great Black-backed Gull, back – Herring Gull, front

October 17, 2014

October 17, 2014

October 17, 2014

October 17, 2014

October 17, 2014

October 17, 2014

Great Black-backed Gull, back Glaucous Gull, front

Great Black-backed Gull, back – Glaucous Gull, front

Great Black-backed Gull, back Herring Gull, front

Great Black-backed Gull, back – Glaucous Gull, front

Glaucous Gull defending its fish!

Glaucous Gull defending its territory!

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Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Images of an adult Great Black-backed Gull taken at Wind Point in Racine on November 30, 2013 at this link if you care to view them:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/great-black-backed-gull/

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull.  Photographs taken at Wind Point and Shoop Park in Racine County, Wisconsin on November 30, 2013.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family.  White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings.  The wings have white wingtips.  Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

Habitat: Rocky and sandy coastal shorelines, ponds, lakes, and marshes

Diet: 50% or more of their diet is often garbage or human refuse.  They also eat fish, insects, crabs, smaller birds, chick eggs, and land animals such as rats.

Nesting: Both parents build several nests on or near stacks of rocks or fallen logs. The female chooses the best one, and it is lined with grass, seaweed, and other vegetation or garbage such as rope and pieces of plastic.  The female will lay a clutch of 3 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 28 days.  Both parents raise the hatchlings, take turns finding food.  The breeding pair will reuse the same nesting site year after year.

Notes: Great Black-backed Gull feathers were used in clothing while feathers were fashionable in the late 1800’s.  Once the trend ended, populations began to increase.  This trend continues with the increase in refuse sites across North America and Europe.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

To view the gallery of images, please click here.