Alberta Canada - September gulls (1 Viewer)

[Zangazanga]

Last fall, while the grain fields south of Edmonton were being harvested (first week of September), I tried to photograph the hawks that were following the combines around. (I assume they were looking for mice that are suddenly more vulnerable on the newly shorn fields.) I am looking at these photos and besides the Red-tailed and Swainson's Hawks, I see that there were also about 5 gulls circling. They remained very high up and i did not take much notice of them, but now I wonder if it might be possible to figure out what exactly they were. The photos are not great. I wonder if anyone want to try to give an ID? I cant say much except that there were at least 5 gulls, they all seem to be similar to me with pale windows on gray wings, and smudgy dark band on the tails. (One of the photos also shows a Swainson's hawk going past in a vertical stoop).

z

 

[lou salomon]

1cy ring-billed gulls. nice pic with the stooping swainson's.

 

[Zangazanga]

1cy ring-billed gulls. nice pic with the stooping swainson's.

Thanks Lou. Ring-billed gulls (along with Franklin's at certain times of the year) are what I have most often noticed around here, so that definitely makes sense. (and also heightens my wish to understand better the various plumages that these gulls might display.)

 

[Tiraya]

Franklin's and ring-billed were my 2 most common species when I lived in Edmonton also.

I occasionally had California pop up in good numbers here and there, along with single immatures of herring gull and mew gulls if I was having a good day.