Quoddy Link Birds

Aug. 7th

LITTLE GULL
JAEGER SP.
11 RED NECKED PHALAROPES
5+ GREAT CORMORANTS

It turned out to be a very active day out on the bay. On the evening trip we were treated to a feeding frenzy of birds and whales just off Whitehorse island. Hundreds of gulls, terns, shearwaters and a few gannets were feeding on herring as huge fin whales lunged out of the water all around us.

The highlight of the evening was a LITTLE GULL that was mixed it with the more common gull species. It was the small size of the bird that first drew my attention and after seeing the dark underwing I immediately called out to Todd Watts, who was also on the boat.  We both had good looks as it flew past our stern and after reviewing some photos we both agreed that it was a LITTLE GULL. It appears to be an immature bird entering it's second winter. The main features that set it apart from a bonaparte's gull are; smaller size, dark underwing, capped appearance of head pattern and white trailing edge of the wings.

Little gull, note dark underwing with capped appearance to head and white trailing edges of wings

Little gull, note uniformily pale gray mantle and white trailing edge to wing

Little gull head on, note dark underwing

Little gull, note white trailing edge of wings

Also of interest today were a number of GREAT CORMORANTS on Whitehorse island. I usually only see lone individuals but today I counted at least 5 in one group. A group of 10 RED NECKED PHALAROPES were seen on the afternoon trip, and a single one on the evening trip.
Cheers

-Nick