2007 Illinois Gull Frolic

Glaucous Gull (adult)

Today was the annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina. What's a Gull Frolic you ask? Well, if you weren't there yesterday and therefore don't already know, its a chance to see many of the Illinois winter gulls and have experts there to tell them apart from the ubiquitous Herring Gull. The Gull Frolic also includes presentations and a chance to meet many of the great birders we hear about but infrequently see.

This was the first year I had participated in the Gull Frolic although I had a good idea what it involved. I didn't count but I would estimate at least 100 people attended. Many braved the arctic temperatures {as I did} to stand outside all day to watch the gulls. The experts were very helpful and willing to point out subtle differences - and to admit that sometimes its virtually impossible to tell the difference between some of the plumage phases on the different species.

Most of the interesting gulls are 'white-winged gulls', such as the Iceland Gull, the Thayer's Gull and the Glaucous Gull (above). Below is one of the many Thayer's Gulls. The Thayer's is lighter overall than a Herring Gull and its dark eye and lightly marked primaries give it away in a crowd. This bird is a second winter bird.

Thayer's Gull (2nd winter)

Below is an adult Thayer's Gull. This shot shows the primary feather pattern that helps separate this from a Herring Gull. The Gull Frolic is the only time that chumming is allowed at North Point Marina - and special permission must be sought to allow this. It was amazing seeing so many of the rare and not-so-rare gulls up close and active.

Thayer's Gull (adult)

Here is another of the exciting finds, a Great Black-backed Gull. Its not hard to see how this bird gets it name! This is a 3rd winter bird and looks almost like the full adult (4th year) except the bill still has a black band and the black wings & back are not quite as black as they will end up.

Great Black-backed Gull

Since the usual way we see interesting gulls is the slightly different bird in a flock of Herring Gulls or Ring-billed Gulls, the opportunity to see so many different varieties close like this is awesome. I will definitely be putting the 2008 Gull Frolic on my calendar! In all we saw Iceland Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull.