[CT Birds] Gull Stuff 2

[Dennis Varza]

Here are some more observations on gulls. If you have any corrections  
or additions I would really appreciate them.

Dennis Varza
Fairfield

Topic 1	Gull Gatherings

The more I look into this the more difficult it becomes. First of all  
there there have been signs of ducks, gees and gulls feeding on  
plankton early in the week the week. Sometimes there are large  
gatherings sometime small gatherings. There have been reports from  
Stamford to Madison. I have seen it in the morning and evening. I  
can’t recall any mid day sightings

Debbie Ethridge of Greenwich
Feb 29 Hundreds, probably thousands, of gulls were feeding and  
roosting in the
Stamford Lighthouse in the evening High tide was around 5:30 pm
Luke Tiller
Mar 1 Off of Compo Beach Westpoert were huge rafts of ducks including  
many hundreds if not thousands of Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck  
and Greater Scaup  It would seem that there is some kind of big  
plankton bloom that any number of waterfowl and gulls are making the  
most of.

Mar 2 Fairfield Sunken Island Off shore there was a flock of several  
hundred gulls feeding well off shore. Mixed in the flock were Brant,  
Greater Scaup, Black Duck, and American Wigeon.

Topic 2	Common Gulls

Great Black-backed Gull
These birds seem to have started pairing up. Also, I noticed that  
when there are a cluster of gull together on a pile of rocks or a  
pier they always take the high spot.

Ring-billed Gull
The seem to be on the move. On Wednesday the 6th, the wind was strong  
and the surf high. Seaside Park had over 1000 gulls. Also, immature  
gulls seem to have increased and now make up about 5% of the population.


Topic 3       	Uncommon Gulls
it looks like these gulls are on the move Bonaparte’s are increasing  
in number and the Iceland Gulls are in areas of regular coverage but  
not seen before
Bonaparte’s Gull

2008	2	28	91		Stamford, Holly Pond	Dennis Varza
2008	3	2	101		Stamford, Holly Pond	Meredith Sampson

2008	3	1	1		Fairfield, Southport Beach	Luke Tiller
2008	3	3	6		Fairfield, Southport Beach	Meredith Sampson
2008	3	3	8		Fairfield, Southport Beach	Dennis Varza

2008	3	3	75		Madison, Hammonasset St. Pk.	John Maynard
2008	3	6	2		Old Saybrook, South Cove	John Ogren

Iceland Gull
The inland reports may be the same bird moving about. Immatures  was  
reported all winter in the area. The coastal birds were clearly  
transients
2008	3	1	1	FW	Fairfield, Southport Beach	Luke Tiller
2008	3	3	1	FW	Wethersfield, Wethersfield Cove	Paul Cianfaglione
2008	3	5	1	ADk	Bridgeport, St. Mary’s by the Sea	Dennis Varza
2008	3	7	1	FW	Farmington, Batterson Pond	Paul Cianfaglione

Glaucous Gull
These are all the reported records for the year, obviously transient  
birds
2008	1	6	1	FW	Meriden, Hanover Pond.	Mark Barriger
2008	2	14	1	FW	Hartford, Riverside Park Boat Launch	Paul Cianfaglione
2008	2	18	1		Monroe, Stevenson Dam	Carol Parent

Lesser Black-backed Gull
This bird has been resident all winter.
2008	3	1 to 7	1	AD	Westport, Burring Hill Beach	Dennis Varza