American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) 2nd cycle & 3rd cycle K10 February 2013 - March 2014, Circle Beach, CT. Picture: Keith Mueller.

See website: The Gulls Of Appledore

K10 was banded as a chick on Appledore Island on July 12, 2011. He or she was the “C Chick” (the last chick out of a total of 3 to hatch), and was seen twice more on Appledore Island in August of 2011, but hadn’t been seen since then. We are grateful to Keith for letting us know K10 is alive and well! Check out some of his beautiful photographs below.

below: Herring Gull (smithsonianus) 3rd cycle (4CY) K10 March 01 2014, Circle Beach, CT. Picture: Keith Mueller.

After gone for 4 months, K10 has returned to Circle Beach. Now with more grey in the scapular region.

below: Herring Gull (smithsonianus) 3rd cycle (3CY) K10 December 17 2013, Circle Beach, CT. Picture: Keith Mueller.

Bird now in 3rd cycle, with 3rd generation flight feathers. Bill turns pale yellow with much black. Scapulars still not completely grey (still no "grey saddle") but as winter progresses, moult in this region may continue and 3rd cycle birds in spring (next year) may show more grey in this respect.

below: Herring Gull (smithsonianus) 2nd cycle (3CY) K10 February 22 2013, Circle Beach, CT. Picture: Keith Mueller.

On the morning of February 22, Keith photographed Herring Gull K10 on Circle Beach on the Madison/Guilford line in CT. K10 was spotted with a flock of about 400 other gulls including 3 Iceland Gulls. Two days later, Keith spotted the same gull on Circle Beach around noon.

Scapulars are a mix of old brown and new greyish brown feathers, but there is no sign of any grey adult-like feathers (compare to L52). Only single feathers replaced half a year ago in partial autumn moult: inner MC, inner GC and probably upper tertial.