Franklin's Gull in St. Louis County
2012-09-19

Uncommon in St. Louis County in the Fall season

Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) shadowing a Ring-billed Gull at Park Point Recreation Area, Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota, 19 September 2012. Based on review of my images from both locations, this appears to be the same individual that was first spotted by Daryl Tessen at Wisconsin Point on the 17th. Although Daryl subsequently reported two Franklin's Gulls at Wisconsin Point on the 19th, and another was seen by Karl Bardon and others at Hawk Ridge back on the 1st of September, this species continues to be a rare migrant in the Duluth-Superior area and cannot be expected elsewhere along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Peder H. Svingen