A great time was had at the 14th Annual IOS Gull Frolic on Saturday!
It was undoubtedly the coldest day of birding - ever - for lots of people present (8-10F, with persistent 25-40 mph winds that put the windchill temps at about -10 F).
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Don't let the blue skies and "fluffy" clouds fool ya! IT. WAS. COLD. |
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Adult Thayer's Gull. Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
But the gulls didn't mind it and we saw plenty:
- Thayer's Gull - 10 (6 adults, one 2nd cycle, three 1st cycle).
- Iceland Gull - 4 (2 adults, one 3rd cycle, one 1st cycle).
- Glaucous Gull - 6 (2 adults, one 2nd cycle, three 1st cycle).
- Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 (adults).
- Great Black-backed Gull - 1 (1st cycle).
- Herring Gull (900+), Ring-billed Gull (10).
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Adult Kumlien's Gull. Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
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Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
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Thayer's Gull with Herrings (1st cycles). Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
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Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
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Intermediate Thayer's/Kumlien's type (2nd cycle). Winthrop Harbor, IL. 14 FEB 2015. |
This event, organized by the Illinois Ornithological Society and in its 14th year, is a one-day bonanza that sells out well in advance (limited to 150 participants).
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Lunch in the Main Room |
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Nandu Dubey (left) presenting his Ross's Gull painting to our raffle winner. |
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Doug Stotz (IOS 2015 "Service to Illinois Birding Award" recipient) brought
these gull skins from Chicago's Field Museum. Can you spot the Slaty-backed Gull? |
But without question, the highlight of this event was Ted Floyd and his very informative talk on "Gulls and the Meaning of Life in the Post-human Age". Ted's talk packed the presentation room to the rim.
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Ted Floyd and Greg Neise. |
Thanks to all of the participants, co-sponsors and volunteers that made this another successful Gull Frolic. See you on February 13th, 2016.