27 December 2014

Chicago Lakefront CBC

For the 3rd consecutive year now I've participated in the Chicago Lakefront CBC which more or less concludes at the Museum Campus where we count gulls.


In a little over an hour, we tallied 7-Thayer's, 1-Kumlien's, 1-Lesser Black-backed, 1-Great Black-backed and 1 intermediate 3rd cycle Thayer's/Kumlien's. It was a fun session as we were hit with a flurry of Thayer's that I don't think anyone was expecting, especially given the mild winter we're having.

Thayer's Gull. 31st Harbor. 25 Dec 2014.
Thayer's Gull. Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Thayer's Gull (3rd cycle type). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Thayer's Gull (2nd cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Thayer's Gull (2nd cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014. This individual displays some oddities...look for a future post describing some Glaucous-winged x Herring traits.
Kumlien's Gull (2nd cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Kumlien's Gull (2nd cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Museum Campus. 25 Dec 2014.
2nd cycle Thayer's (back) and 1st cycle Thayer's/Glaucous-winged hybrid thingy....
Both 2nd cycle Kumlien's and Thayer's.
I was very happy to snap both of these birds in one frame...it's relatively tough to record any 2nd cycle white-winger here in Chicago on any given winter day.


Thanks to Joel Greenberg and the Williamsons for leading the pack. This CBC has quickly become one of my favorite winter events.