05 April 2015

Adult Kumlien's: Hammond

The longer I watch gulls, the more I'm absolutely convinced that this family of birds exhibits a great deal of site fidelity. Today I observed the adult Kumlien's Gull at Hammond Marina in Indiana (reoccurring since at least 2009). As is usual, the bird came in for a couple of minutes, gave a few long calls and then retreated as the gull flock grew (mostly Ring-billeds with about 10 Herrings and a couple of Great Black-backeds):

Kumlien's Gull (adult). Hammond, IN. 05 Aprl 2015.






I'm always too late when it comes to recording this bird vocalize in time!
Interestingly, an adult Thayer's flew in and tangled with this bird on the water for about 15 seconds, before making as if it was flying in towards me, but circled back and kept on to the northwest towards Chicago. I also observed a 1st and 2nd cycle GBBG today, and that's about it.

Ring-billed Gull (1st cycle). Whiting, IN. 05 April 2015.



Two replaced tail feathers - one adult-like and one less advanced. 
With a good deal of juvenile neck and breast streaking.