Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Brantford

[Bill Lamond]

Yesterday (21 Sep) there were 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the Grand River in Brantford at Scarfe Ave. This is by far the highest number I have ever seen there. There were eight adults (or near adults), two first summer, and eight juveniles. I saw my first juvenile here about three days ago and they have now arrived in number. There were about 300 Herring Gulls and 500 Ring-billed Gulls present so the LBBG made up a fair proportion of the total...at least compared to former times.

Of course this species has exploded in Ontario. I note that 24 were recorded (mostly adults - no juveniles) on 7 Sep at Britannia C.A. on the Ottawa River in Ottawa and 41 (mostly adults - no juveniles) were observed a stone's throw from the same location in Quebec on 10 Sep.

Bill