Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, April 2012 - September 2015, Sandy Point Beach - Plum Island. Picture: Steve Arena, Jorge de Leon, Billy Clifford & Jeffrey Offermann.

2E2 is a male that was banded as an adult on Appledore Island on May 26 2006. Since then, he has been seen a few dozen times – but only in 2 distinct places! In the month of May, 2E2 is observed on Appledore (he was observed in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012) but he spends the rest of his year on Plum Island in Newburyport. He has been spotted on Plum Island numerous times in late summer, fall, and winter every year since his banding in 2006 (except in 2008).  He has been seen eating Skates, clams, and fish.

Male Great Black-backed Gulls (and Herring Gulls) tend to return to their nesting sites each breeding season (from late April to June), and 2E2 has shown strong fidelity to both nesting and overwintering sites. We know that he has returned to Appledore at least 5 out of the past 7 years.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, September 12 2015, Sandy Point State Reservation, Ipswich, Essex County, MA. Picture: Steve Arena.

P8-P10 old.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, June 22 2015, Sandy Point Beach - Plum Island. Picture: Billy Clifford.

As a result of many reports, 2E2 is known to travel between a nesting area on Appledore Island to the Sandy Point area on a frequent basis. Clifford provided photos on June 22 and July 7 of 2E2 at Sandy Point.  The other frequent visitor at Sandy Point/Plum Island, 5T9, was also reported and photographed by Clifford on July 7, 2015.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, January 12 2014, Sandy Point Beach - Plum Island. Picture: Yan-Ton.

Winter head streaking.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, July 28 2013, Sandy Point Beach - Plum Island. Picture: Steve Arena.

Probably in PB moult.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, December 29 2012, Sandy Point, Plum Island, MA. Picture: Jorge de Leon.

P9 fully grown, P10 just equals P9. PMS=49.

below: Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2E2 adult, April 21 2012, Sandy Point, Plum Island, MA. Picture: Jeffrey Offermann.

2E2 after feeding on a young Harbor Seal washed up at Sandy Point State Reservation, on Plum Island, Massachusetts. Seems that the plentiful foraging opportunities (in addition to the spectacular views) are a draw for this gull.