Kumlien's Iceland Gull Archives - Window to Wildlife

Iceland Gull at Frame Park on the Fox River in Waukesha on November 20, 2023

I typically stop at the Fox River in the mornings this time of year when birding and it has really been quiet. Today was the first surprise this fall with a 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies. I have never seen one before on the Fox River. It is a place where Ring-billed Gulls hang out year round. A couple of Ring-billed Gulls dived at this bird while I was there, it looked like they did not want it around. After a few minutes looking up and down the river I turned around and the gull was gone, but probably still in the area. It was a gloomy morning with cloudy skies, low winds, but mild temps for this time of year. Images were taken on November 20, 2023.

The 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies…

With a Ring-billed Gull…

Taking off…

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 27, 2016

By admin | December 27, 2016 - 6:15 pm |December 28, 2016 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

7 Comments

I started birding the lakefront in Milwaukee mid morning and my first stop moving south was the Petroleum Pier. Lots of ducks but nothing odd. I ran into Jym M there and he said he just saw a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club. After hitting a few more places I stopped at the SSYC and the Kumlien’s Iceland was still present but out a ways by itself. After awhile it came in closer and gave some nice views. After a dog walker flushed everything away I left. Other birds to note there, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneyes and many Greater Scaup. This is the 3rd year in a row a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull has been at the club in winter. A beautiful bird! I walked from McKinley Marina to Lakeshore State Park and it was 1,000 plus ducks that were mainly Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneyes. Images were taken on December 27, 2016.

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull

Binomial name: Larus glaucoides

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 22” long, 54” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb

Eating mussels

Eating mussels

Eating mussels

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2015-2016 winter images link:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/kumliens-iceland-gull-at-the-shore-yacht-club-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-on-december-15-2015/

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2014-2015 winter images link:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/kumliens-iceland-gull-great-black-backed-gulls-south-shore-yacht-club-milwaukee-wisconsin-february-8-2015/

Ring-necked Duck, male

Northern Shoveler – female

Common Goldeneye, male

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at the Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 15, 2015

By admin | December 15, 2015 - 5:44 pm |January 1, 2016 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

3 Comments

I birded some of the lakefront mid morning today in Milwaukee. My last stop was going to be South Shore Yacht Club. Only a few blocks away from there, I got a text from Jen A telling me of a beautiful Kumlein’s Iceland Gull was present on the docks. Thanks Jen! This gull may have 1st been found by John M early morning, nice find John! I stopped and we both got some nice views of this bird flying and watched it hanging out with some Ring-billed Gulls. I think this gull would be considered a 2nd winter gull. Also present was a Peregrine Falcon, but it was out far on a dock and only gave back views. I left for awhile and checked out the Petroleum Pier which had pretty much the same ducks that I have been seeing for the last 2 weeks. Lakeshore State Park still had the female Long-tailed Duck along with the ducks that it had been hanging with. Not much else to report. A fun hour or so out, always a treat to see a different gull on the lakefront! Images were taken on December 15, 2015.

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull

Binomial name: Larus glaucoides

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 22” long, 54” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gull right

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull hanging out with Ring-billed Gulls, 6th from the left

Kumlien's Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gulls, 3 right

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gulls, 5 right

Take-off!

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull and Great Black-backed Gulls at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 8, 2015

By admin | February 8, 2015 - 7:13 pm |February 20, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

3 Comments

I made a run down to South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee late morning. I had just saw the report by Jennifer A of the Kumlien’s Iceland Gull, 2nd cycle. This bird has been around the area but I had missed previous tries. I was down there yesterday and it was still froze up and almost bird less. Today it was open water south of the club and very birdie. Along with the Kumlien’s Iceland were two Great Black-backed Gulls, one adult and one 1st winter and 2 Glaucous Gulls. Thanks to Jennifer for the report. Images were taken on February 8, 2015.