Grand River Gulls

[Bill Lamond]

Hi,

Gull numbers have really jumped on the Grand River in the last few days. I noticed this last year too. On 11 August 2020 I counted 190 Ring-billed Gulls at Scarfe Ave by the Lorne Bridge. On the 13 August the number of Ring-bills jumped to 1,120. For Ring-billeds this year I counted 180 on 1 August, 515 on 3 August and 1,200 today (5 Aug). Certainly a pattern but I have no idea why the sudden jump in numbers at this time of the year.

There were four Lesser Black-backed Gulls there today, three 1st summers and a 2nd summer. That is a high number for early August but with each passing year there seems to be more of this species locally at any time of the year.

With the number of gulls loafing at this location, this is bound to attract any out-of-range gull that flies over. Here's hoping!

Bill