Hello folks, Justin here again to bring you the latest happenings with the gulls of Appledore. Our latest sightings come from UNH Graduate student Lauren Kras, a fellow “Shoaler” (someone who attended a course at the Shoals Marine Laboratory) and Teaching Assistant for UNH’s Marine Immersion class.  On a New Years Eve cruise aboard the R/V Gulf Challenger, Lauren snapped this picture of 7P1 in flight at the Isles of Shoals.

7P1 following the Gulf Challenger at the Isles of Shoals

7P1 was banded as an adult in May 2010 near the SML Dock; in July 2011 two of its chicks were banded.  We banded a large number of adult Great Black-Backed Gulls (GBBG) in 2010 as part of a study looking at extra-pair paternity (ie. faithfulness between mates) in GBBGs using DNA from both parents and their offspring. We banded and took blood samples from over 50 GBBG pairs and their offspring for the study. The results are pending, so stay tuned!

Lauren also spotted E81 at Newcastle Commons, NH on New Years Day for one of our first resights of 2012! E81 was banded as a chick at Sandpiper Beach in 2006. Lauren spotted E81 previously in February 2009 and several times in the fall of 2010, all at Newcastle Commons.

E81 in winter (adult, non-breeding) plumage at Newcastle Commons, NH

The dispersal patterns of gulls can vary greatly with some gulls traveling as far away as the Gulf of Mexico and Canada, like the Appledore Lesser Black-backed Gull (F05) in Florida and 9R7 in Canada.  Other gulls appear to go no farther than the NH coast, like C17, E81, and 7P1. This variation raises many questions about what factors affect gull dispersal and winter behavior, which makes every resight so important. We thank Lauren for her resights and hope to hear from you in 2012!

Gull Wrangler MVP Bill Clark contributed to this post.

Justin Stilwell here.  When I went to the University of Florida earlier this month, I was happy to escape the northeast as the cold was just starting to set in. I wasn’t far from where F05, the famous Lesser Black-backed Gull of Appledore, likes to overwinter. But for some gulls like 0R5 and 9R7, Canada seems pretty nice this time of year. 0R5 was banded this past May as an adult, meaning it nested on Appledore this year (we catch adults on their nests). Kelly Roussy, a fellow gull enthusiast, spotted 0R5 at Minet’s Point in Ontario, Canada on October 16th. That’s a whopping 460 miles away!

0R5 and 9R7 cover lots of ground since leaving the island!

0R5 stretches his wings after a long flight - Photo by Kelly Roussy

The report for 9R7 comes from the USGS; this bird was spotted just southeast of Montreal at the Recre-o-Parc de Sainte-Catherine (Saint Catherine Recreational Park, rough translation if I remember my French correctly). 9R7 was banded as a chick this summer at a nest just above the High Tide Pier. Catching these chicks was difficult because they would flee to the water whenever we approached. This required some “aquatic gull herding” since the chicks could only swim (and not fly) at this point. With a team of able gull wranglers on shore, I swam out behind the gull chicks and drove them back onto dry land. The first two were easily captured by the team, but the third made a quick escape through the intertidal. I swam in and cut him off. Realizing he was cornered, he made one last attempt to break for the water, but to no avail as I forced him back to the intertidal and scooped him up.

Justin chasing the runaway gull chick - Photo by Sarah MacLean

Thanks for these resights!  From the Gulls of Appledore, we wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Thanks also to Bill Clark, long-time gull wrangler, who contributed to this post.

Yesterday, I received an email from Michael Brothers (Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet, FL) who reported that the Appledore LBBG has returned to his usual overwintering site:  Daytona Beach Shores, FL!

Photo by Michael Brothers

Michael said, “Last night, 12/27/2011, I found the Lesser Black-backed Gull, F05, back again for the 4th winter. It is amazing that this same bird has returned to this small stretch of beach every year since January 2009.”

As you may recall, F05 was first observed breeding on Appledore Island in 2007; he has returned to nest on Appledore every year since.  We banded his Herring Gull mate in 2008, but he returned with a different female in 2009.   In 2011, the gull banding team (including Bill Clark, Lois Clark, Justin Stilwell, David Bonter, Tracy Holmes, Luke DeFisher, and Sarah MacLean) banded his new mate, K75.  They also placed bands on the chick of K75 and F05:  F07.

Photo by Sarah MacLean

We’ve banded chicks of the LBBG almost every year since 2007, and are very interested to see whether one of them returns to nest on Appledore in the future.  Thanks to Michael for another great observation!!

Justin here to bring you a new update, this time on a young Great Black-backed Gull. This report comes from Debra Steingart, a New York State wildlife rehabilitator, who received a bewildered 9T8 on November 8th, 2011. He was found in South Fallsburg, NY, about 225 miles southwest of Appledore. 9T8 was banded as a chick this year at the northern tip of the island. First year gulls tend to disperse far and wide with 9T8 being no exception.

9T8 was rescued approximately 225 miles away from Appledore

9T8 couldn’t gain flight so Debra let him rest overnight and released him the next day. Here’s Debra’s report:

The condition of the gull was good.  There were no visible signs of injury, broken wings, lost plumage or parasites.  The gull looked healthy and at a good weight.   He was not stressed when I got close to him.  He was not able to lift up more than 2 feet in the air.  I’m not sure if he was just tired and needed some R&R.  I left him alone for several hours and when I returned he was gone.  The area was fenced in with a 4-1/2 foot high fence.

9T8 preens himself after being rescued - Photo by Debra Steingart

We hope to see 9T8 in future years and thank Debra for assisting him during his wanderings! If you see a banded gull, you can report it directly to the Appledore Banding Project or the USGS. Stay tuned for more gulls!

Bill Clark contributed to this post and the posts on E73 and C17.

C17, sporting early winter plumage, likes coastal New Hampshire and has been seen repeatedly at Hampton Beach and Jenness Beach over the past five years - Photo by Jon Worthen

Justin Stilwell here again.  If the gulls ever wanted to start a local movement, they should consider calling C17. This week’s resight comes from Jon Worthen who spotted C17 at Hampton Beach, NH twice this year (Aug. 7th and Sept. 18th). C17 was banded back in July of 2005 as a chick and has been spotted repeatedly on the island and along the New Hampshire coast ever since. Kathy Abbot spotted C17 at Jenness Beach in Rye, NH in July 2006, Sept 2007, twice in Aug 2008, and twice in Aug 2009.

C17 stays local in the Fall

C17 fights with another gull over a crab at Hampton Beach, NH - Photo by Jon Worthen

C17′s first resight back on Appledore came on June 7th, 2007 on Dorm 2, when he was likely prospecting potential nest sites. He was subsequently spotted there again several times in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He must have liked the dorm because he has nested beneath it in each of the last two years. Due to the topography of the island, some of the buildings are raised off the ground and several gulls have taken advantage, establishing nests under or around the buildings to get out of the weather. Barn Swallows also like to use the support beams under the buildings for nest sites.

C17 gives a Long Call outside Dorm 2, July 2010 - Photo By Justin Stilwell

Jon has spotted many gulls this fall at Hampton Beach and we greatly appreciate his resights! Check back next week for more resights and more gulls!

Greetings Folks! Gull wrangler Justin Stilwell here to bring you the latest happenings with the Gulls of Appledore. With the gulls long dispersed from the island, people are starting to spot them all over. Throughout the non-breeding season, we’ll be featuring resights of our gulls here while also sharing stories on our research and experiences on the island!

This week, our resight comes from Tom Auer, who spotted E73 on November 25, 2011 at the Windsor-Bloomfield landfill in northern Connecticut. E73, a Herring Gull, was originally banded back in 2006 as a chick near the large Radar Tower on the island. This puts the gull at around 5 1/2 years old. E73 was spotted on the island in May 2009, May & June 2010, and May 2011. We did not find a nest associated with E73.  However, the gull’s return to the island this early in the season may indicate it  attempted to breed on the island, as these sightings are around the time when pairs begin to initiate nests. Herring Gulls start to breed as early as their 3rd year, but typically start in their 4th year. Alternatively, the gull may be “prospecting” potential nest sites for future breeding attempts.

The Journey of E73

E73 traveled over 130 miles from the island to get to the landfill. Gulls are often found at landfills as they are readily available sources for food during the winter. Resights like this one allow us to learn more about wintering behavior of the gulls and our impacts on them.

Thanks to Tom for this great resight! Everyone, please keep your eyes peeled. You never know when or where you may find a banded gull! If you find a gull with a band, you can report it directly to the Appledore Banding project and the USGS at www.reportband.gov

Editor’s note:  Justin Stilwell is a senior at the University of New Hampshire who has been an Appledore gull wrangler since 2009.  Justin was also a research intern in 2010.  He conducted two projects: 1) identification of fish species consumed by gulls and 2) a comparison of reproductive success in young (inexperienced) versus older (more experienced) gulls.  More details on his findings will be included in future posts.  Justin is planning to go to veterinary school in the Fall and will continue helping with the Appledore gull project in future years.

Guest post by Bill Clark (Appledore Gull Wrangler):

September 5, 2011 and the gull population of Appledore Island is dispersing for parts far and wide.   Gull numbers and gull aggressiveness are both quite reduced on Appledore; no longer are innocent walkers buzzed and ‘bombed’ by the nesting gulls.  After a busy summer of banding and re-sighting banded gulls, Appledore students and researchers appreciate the reduced harassment provided by the gulls.

We wait anxiously as reports of banded gulls arrive sporadically, and we hope that many observers will take the time to contact us, as Gustine Silva-Burke from Pennsylvania did, to share photos of K30 and a report.

Photo by Gustine Silva-Burke

Gustine Silva-Burke from Pennsylvania reported K30 at Hampton Beach New Hampshire on Saturday, 8/27/11.  K30, a second- year Herring Gull was banded as a hatch-year HERG on Appledore Island on July 15, 2010.

Thanks to Gustine for this report!

The ‘Famous’ Appledore Lesser Black-backed Gull

F05, and his 2011 banded chick, F07, were still frequenting Appledore Island as of September 3, 2011.  F05’s female HERG mate for 2011, K75, has not been reported since July.   F05 appears to be a very conscientious parent who is protective of his chick.

Photo by Bill Clark

The F07 chick (below) is from the nest of the LBBG F05 and the HERG K75.  The banding team placed the USGS and field readable bands on the chick on July 14 in hopes that the chick will be resighted!

Photo by Sarah MacLean

Justin Stilwell and Bill Clark with F07. Photo by David Bonter

A Bonus Breeder

To the delight of Dr. David Bonter (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) a Black Guillemot nest was discovered on Appledore and the pair successfully produced a chick. This is a ‘bonus bird’ observation that excited all the banding crew.  Sarah captured this outstanding photo of the ‘Guille’ on the wing.

Photo by Sarah MacLean

An unexpected puzzle: 

On August 16, 2011 David Holmes, veteran bander at the AIMS bird banding station on Appledore Island, reported a puzzle.  David sighted a first-year Great Black-backed Gull at a northwest ledge of Appledore Island with a GREEN band and the characters AAR in white.  No.  No, the observed band has three ‘alpha’ characters and Dr. Julie Ellis at Appledore uses only one alpha and two numerals.  This is a ‘foreign’ gull; a gull banded somewhere else.

With the aid of several persons we identified the source of AAR as Sable Island, Nova Scotia, where 50 Great Black-backed hatch-year gulls were banded in July 2011.  Good ‘old’ (really very young) AAR made great time coming more than 530 miles from home.  Appledore was apparently only a brief stop-over on a journey to some ultimate unknown destination.   See more about Sable Island at:  http://sableislandgulls.wordpress.com/

Band reports have been coming from all directions:

During May, June, and July 2011 reports include places such as Mont-Louis, Quebec; Rochester, NY; Ogunquit, Maine; and Raritan Bay, NJ.  It is interesting to note that more than 50  gulls banded as chicks between 2004 and 2010 have been seen on Appledore Island this summer, many of those from 2004 to 2007 nested on the Island.

Other band reports via the USGS received this summer were for Herring Gulls H22, T76, C61, and L91.  C61, who was seen close to Appledore Island at Hampton in New Hampshire, was banded in 2006 as an adult making the gull at least 9 years of age.  H22, at least 8 years of age, was reported at Hudson in New York in August 2011.  T76, a year-old gull, was seen at Cape May, New Jersey at the end of August this year and L91 three month old gull was found dead on the mainland Across from Appledore Island in August.

Birds like 8R6 (below) may be reported directly to the Appledore Banding project or via the USGS at: http://www.reportband.gov/

Photo by Bill Clark

The reports and photos from the many observers are greatly appreciated.  The gull banding database grows with each report and the information about gulls and their interactions with humans and the environment is slowly increasing.

Cassie and Justin look on from a safe distance as Rob risks his life to GPS a nest.

Sarah Courchesne, here again, with the latest from Appledore Island. Yesterday, this crack team of gull wranglers seized a very brief break in the weather to get out and band some gulls. We got our hands on about 12 birds before the temperature started dropping again and the wind kicked up. But the well rested crew worked hard for that brief time. Team member Justin Stilwell had to dive into the frigid Atlantic when a gull in a trap rolled into the water. Justin, not at all concerned for his own safety, nor that of his only pair of boots, emerged soaked, but with the gull safely in hand. Our young minion, Cassie Biron, was fully initiated yesterday, suffering her first high altitude defecation strike. She has now been bitten, hit on the head, and pooped on: the gull wrangler’s trifecta.

We also headed out to check on the LBBG, who was seen copulating with an unknown lady love. The endeavor seemed reasonably successful, though the female looked a bit unsteady about the whole thing. We wish them great success, and will attempt to band her tomorrow, weather permitting.

This morning, the gull team is in low spirits, having just seen off two team members; Rob Crooks and Tracy Holmes boarded the Kingsbury today for the trip back to the mainland and points south. We thank them for their service, and for all the memories.

The motley crew assembled: from left, Rob Crooks, Bill Clark, Tracy Holmes, Cassie Biron, Justin Stilwell. In back: fog.

Today, we’re waiting out another band of nasty weather and hoping we can at least get out and look for banded gulls, even if it remains too cold and wet to actually catch and band any.

Ah, Spring!

The fog, cold and sideways rain continue out here today, and once again, the banding team has been thwarted. Intrepid gullers Justin Stilwell and Tracy Holmes have both ventured out throughout the course of the morning, but visibility is extremely poor and their trips generated a small handful of resighted banded birds. Tracy is out and about right now, so we will see what her latest foray turns up.

Weather forecasts for tomorrow call for more of the same, but we hope to get outside if given even a small break in the weather, if only to stave off the madness of being cooped up for days on end. The skies should clear somewhat by the weekend, so we plan to band non-stop once the meteorological opportunity presents itself.

The LBBG is back at his usual haunt. An apparent Herring Gull mate has been loitering close by.

Hello, esteemed blog readership; Sarah Courchesne here, pinch hitting for Julie Ellis. Julie was unable to make it out to Appledore this week, but we’ve assembled a tactical team of seasoned experts and one foolish undergraduate to band gulls out here for a few days. Thus far, the weather has been, uncivilized, to put it mildly, and we have done scarcely any banding. However, this morning we canvassed most of the island, scouring the rain-drenched cliffs for any banded gulls returning to breed. In our travels, we also came upon the Lesser Black-backed Gull at his accustomed nest site overlooking the sea.
This morning, we observed him in very close proximity to a Herring Gull who appeared to be standing where the LBBG’s nest is usually found. So far, we have been unable to tell if they have eggs at that site, and we will wait a few more days to give them a chance to settle in before we attempt to capture the apparent mate. She has been a bit shy about displaying her legs, so we are not yet sure if she is a banded bird.

Bill Clark, larophile, in the standard dress code for the current conditions. Even indoors.

All will be revealed in additional posts over the next few days, so keep your eyes riveted to this blog for the latest on our exploits out here in the cold and the damp.