I started birding the lakefront in Milwaukee mid morning and my first stop moving south was the Petroleum Pier. Lots of ducks but nothing odd. I ran into Jym M there and he said he just saw a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club. After hitting a few more places I stopped at the SSYC and the Kumlien’s Iceland was still present but out a ways by itself. After awhile it came in closer and gave some nice views. After a dog walker flushed everything away I left. Other birds to note there, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneyes and many Greater Scaup. This is the 3rd year in a row a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull has been at the club in winter. A beautiful bird! I walked from McKinley Marina to Lakeshore State Park and it was 1,000 plus ducks that were mainly Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneyes. Images were taken on December 27, 2016.
Kumlien’s Iceland Gull
Binomial name: Larus glaucoides
Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Size: 22” long, 54” wing span
Weight: 1.8 lb
Eating mussels
Eating mussels
Eating mussels
Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2015-2016 winter images link:
Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club 2014-2015 winter images link:
Ring-necked Duck, male
Northern Shoveler – female
Common Goldeneye, male
Beautiful as always Jim. What a majestic bird!! Congratulations on a job well done.
What was the bird eating?
Awesome, Jim. I’m not sure I would have been able to ID this gull. Thanks.
I think it was eating freshwater mussels.
Great photos! Beautiful bird.
Gorgeous photos, Jim! We’re hoping to see the gull in the Duluth-Superior Harbor area, but I’m sure we won’t get great shots like you did. Happy New Year!
I am always amazed at the details in your photos! The feathers, the water, the eyes, everything. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful, I really enjoy your pictures and narrative. Thank you!