So Many Gulls - Centennial (Arapahoe)

[Jared Del Rosso]

I've lived in Centennial for four winters now. This winter, like the last several, significant numbers of gulls move west to east around dawn and back again at dusk. Tonight, the movement was significant, with several large kettles of them forming to rise, gracefully, on thermals and even more just passing by. I didn't count tonight, but the movement spanned thirty or so minutes tonight. 

I rarely identify them and struggle to do so from far below. Most are, of course, Ring-billed. There were larger ones mixed in. 

I'm located near Arapahoe and University in Centennial. Most of the movement occurs right over a line of transmission towers near deKoevend Park, though of course the birds drift north and south of that. One wonders where they come from at night (Aurora Reservoir, which is almost due east?) and where they head. 

Are there any sources on ID'ing gulls in flight? 

Also tonight: a local magpie seemed to be gently, but conspicuously singing. It was especially endearing, given how noisy and brazen these birds usually are. 

- Jared Del Rosso

Centennial, CO

[The "Nunn Guy"]

Hi Jared

Could not find a "gull in flight ID guide" but found these useful PDFs about gull ID:

• http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/i13273.pdf
• http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Laws_Gull_ID.pdf
• This book is excellent: https://www.amazon.com/Gulls-Simplified-Comparative-Approach-Identification/dp/0691156948

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn

http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/

[Joe Roller]

Jared,

Colorado's own John Vanderpoel has produced two excellent videotapes for gull study,

one for large gulls, the other for small (The Small Gulls of North America). I learned a lot

watching them, and you will too. They are not difficult to find on line by searching his name and that title.

Disclaimer  -  I have no financial interest in promoting these teaching tapes.

Joe Roller, Denver

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[Deborah Carstensen]

I’ve seen amazing numbers of gulls flying north to south near Littleton, Platte Canyon and Bowles, at sunset. Going to Chatfield? South Platte reservoir?

Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe county 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 14, 2020, at 8:57 AM, 'The Nunn Guy' via Colorado Birds <cob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Gary Lefko]

Hi Deb

Not familiar where Denver gulls move around to ... but your choices make sense they like big open areas to roost.

Gary

[Dave Cameron]

Steve N. G. Howell's "Gulls of the Americas" is an excellent book, with a few pages of pics per species, including various ages, birds in flight, resting, etc.

Dave Cameron

Denver

On Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 5:48:04 PM UTC-7, Jared Del Rosso wrote: