American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Hybrid smithsonianus x graellsii F07 1st & 4th cycle, July - August 2011, July 2014 & May 2015, Appledore Island, NH.

See Lauren's Flickr photostream.

See website: The Gulls Of Appledore. F07 is offspring of the LBBG x HERG pair on Appledore (see for smithsonianus F01 here, for hybrid F02 here and for graellsii F05 here). Green F07 banded as pullus July 2011 and blood was sampled. Offspring of famous "F05".

Hybrid smithsonianus x graellsii F07 4th cycle (5CY), May 13 2015, Appledore Island, NH. Picture: Dave Adrien.

F07 is the 2011 chick of F05, the Lesser Black-backed Gull nesting on Appledore Island, and a Herring Gull. F07 was banded as a chick and has now returned to Appledore Island. The Gulls of Appledore Research depends heavily upon the public to report sightings of banded gulls either directly or through the USGS “Report Banded Bird” site. Two of the champion field band reporters of Appldeore gulls are Dave Adrien and Davis Finch.

Dave Adrien has reported more than 300 field bands during the past two years, many more than once. The other champion is Davis Finch who has reported as many as 40 or more field band sightings per day. The photo was taken at Davis Finch’s field on May 13, 2015 by Dave Adrien of F07 thus linking together three ‘stars’ of the on-going research. Jim Sonia has been photographing many, many banded birds and providing quality photos of gull plumage development.

Upperparts of intermediate grey tone between Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Coral red orbital ring. Saturated bill. Yellow legs.

Hybrid smithsonianus x graellsii F07 4CY, July 31 2014, Appledore Island, NH. Picture: Lauren Kras.

Upperparts of intermediate grey tone between Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Coral red orbital ring. Saturated bill. Pink legs with yellow tinge. Still some immature markings in coverts and tail.
Complete moult: P4/P7.

Hybrid smithsonianus x graellsii F07 1st cycle (1CY), August 14 2011, Appledore Island, NH. Picture: Lauren Kras.

F07 - Hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull X Herring Gull (right) - hatched 2011 on Appledore Island pictured with its father, F05 - Lesser Black-backed Gull (left).

Hybrid smithsonianus x graellsii F07 1st cycle (1CY), July 14 2011, Appledore Island, NH. Picture: Sarah McLean.

The ‘Famous’ Appledore Lesser Black-backed Gull graellsii green F05, and his 2011 banded chick, F07, were still frequenting Appledore Island as of September 03 2011.  F05’s female HERG mate for 2011, K75, has not been reported since July. F05 appears to be a very conscientious parent who is protective of his chick.

The F07 chick ) is from the nest of the LBBG F05 and the HERG K75. The banding team placed the USGS and field readable bands on the chick on July 14 in hopes that the chick will be resighted!

Lesser Black-backed Gull graellsii F05 adult, June 22 2010, Appledore Island, NH. Picture: Lauren Kras.