Bonaparte's Gulls

[Rob'in'To]

Always nice to have a lifer times 3 dozen plus when out.  



You can see they are a smaller Gull compared to the common Ring-billed.


We stood in this muddy field for 10 or 15 minutes and watched them do their thing.  Some slept, some swam and splashed around and half the group far off on the other end flew in to join the others.  It was great!

[farmer]

Lifers give a rewarding feeling! These birds are so much prettier when they have their "full cap" on.

[Rotarran]

Thanks for sharing Rob'in'To.  Whereabouts was this?

[Rob'in'To]

Out in Cayuga.  I'm not a big Gull guy, just never gave them all much thought over the years...  but these were cool little Gulls.

[Rotarran]

These are among my favourite Gulls.  I look forward to when they show up in more significant numbers in the Toronto area.

[Rob'in'To]

I wasn't aware they come around the Toronto area; but that could also because as I mentioned, never was big on Gulls.  Cool.  Must keep an eye on reports.

[thouc]

They are at Second Marsh in Oshawa in large numbers at this time of year. Yesterday 2000 Bonaparte's and 12 Little Gulls were reported. Otherwise I believe they are pretty sporadic in the GTA.

[Rotarran]

Thanks for the tip.  Headed out to 2nd Marsh today and spotted a lot of Bonaparte's.  Must have been thousands.  Took some pics, may post them tonight if they came out ok.  Didn't see much else of significance other than a Brown Thrasher, some Blue Jays and a Common or Caspian Tern.  Have pic of the Tern so ID is possible.  Didn't see the Little Gulls but they may be in some of the pics accidentally...we'll see when I get home later.