Great Black-backed Gull in St. Louis County
2012-05-19

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

Record shot of first-cycle type Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) at Duluth, St. Louis County, 19 May 2012. Discovered by Frank J. Nicoletti, Karen Stubenvoll, and Peder H. Svingen during the 2012 Hawk Ridge Birdathon. Note bill size, head shape, and body size in comparison to Ring-billed Gulls and the Herring Gull on its immediate left. As increasing numbers of this species overwinter in the Twin Ports, records of young birds lingering well into May have become more frequent in Duluth; e.g., 4 May 2008 (second-cycle), 5 May 1988 (adult), 7 May 2011 (two second-cycles), 7–24 May 1999 (second-cycle), 20–27 May 2004 (second-cycle), and 22 May 2004 (first-cycle). Last year, a second-cycle bird lingered at the Superior Entry until 6 June, thereby establishing the first summer record for the state.

Peder H. Svingen