Hi folks,
I was in Cutler Monday afternoon and counted (literally) more than 500 laughing gulls in a cove in Machias Bay where they were protected from the wind (10 to 25 mph) and rain. The tide was near low. That was the largest spring/summer group of Laughing gulls I have seen in Machias Bay. I also saw a ruddy duck in Holme's creek opposite the bridge on May 21.
Count:
500+ Laughing gulls
125 Great-black backed gulls - About 85% were first and second spring birds
400+ Herring gulls - About 85% were first and second spring birds
The large larids feed at the salmon pens on the north side of Cross Island
1 Black duck
2 Short-billed dowitchers
1 Least sandpiper
Holme's Creek in Cutler at high tide on May 21, 2013
1 Ruddy duck
14 Black-bellied plover
2 Least sandpipers
10 Black ducks
8 Ring-billed gulls
9 Herring gulls - Mostly washed out first spring birds
1 Lesser black-backed gull - Standing on the ground next to a first summer herring gull
I noted the broad black tail band with a white tip (clearly seen multiple times while the bird was lifting wings to preen); the bill was shorter and more conical than the longer, flattened bill of the neighboring herring gull; the mantle was a darker blackish-grey; the wing extensions were well beyond the tail as compared to a group of roosting herring gulls; the bill was black tipped
6 Canada geese
1 Common loon
2 American crow
2 Song sparrows
1 Mourning dove
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Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist
513 Eight Rod Road
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 623 6072
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