I’ll be posting more of a summary of our week’s final tallies, our banding successes and failures soon, but I also wanted to share with you some off-island resights that have come in over the past few months. After all, your usual Gull Team Captain, Julie Ellis, welcomed her own chick about a week ago when her second child was born! So, you’re stuck with me for a bit.
3U4 cruises over the waters of Lake Michigan. (Photo: A. Ayyash)
The first very cool sighting came from Amar Ayyash, who posted on his site anythinglarus, about GBBG 3U4 who’s made it all the way to Lake Michigan! Amar also had some very kind words for Julie’s project and our banding endeavors, so thank you, Amar; it means a lot when we are just finishing up the week and are four days without a shower and feces besmirched.
This next photo is of a gull bait closer to home–5T9 was spotted by Eric Labato at Sandy Point Reservation on Plum Island in Massachusetts. This bird was banded as a chick in 2011, and since then has been seen a handful of times, mainly at the very same beach where Eric spotted it.
Banded as chick in 2011, this 3 year old frequents Sandy Point. (Photo: Eric Labato)
Finally, David Baake wrote to tell us he’d seen 2E2 on Plum Island as well. Check out his post with the details and a lovely photo as well! 2E2 is currently nesting here on the island, a stone’s throw from where I sit typing right now. Tomorrow, I head back for the mainland in what will be, for me, an hour’s boat ride. We will undoubtedly watch many a gull speed past making the same trip in less time, but with far higher stakes. The chicks have started hatching, and provisions must be gathered.
As ever, keep your eyes peeled, larophiles! Thanks for your forbearance during Julie’s absence.
The Gulls Of Appledore 