Gulls of Lac Seul
In 2013, the year that I developed a keen interest in identifying different bird species around the lake , I discovered that the word “seagulls” did not actually apply to a specific bird species but instead was a slang term used to describe gulls in general. So, using my strong powers of observation in conjunction with my trusty bird identification book, I was able to deduce that the gull species for the Lac Seul region was the herring gull (Larus argentatus). Commonly soaring high overhead these birds are primarily scavengers but are also known to catch mollusks and drop them from a height to break them open. However, by 2019 I realized that Lac Seul was home to other species of gulls (not to mention a whole host of other shorebirds that I am just beginning to discover).
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus))
The first of the “other gulls” is the ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis). At first glance this species looks quite similar to the herring gull. However, the ring-billed gull has a black band that circles around both the top and bottom sections of the yellow bill. This may not be immediately apparent in the photo provided below of the ring-billed gull as the bill is festooned with crayfish! The black ring is absent on the herring gull although breeding adults of this species have a red mark on their lower bill. Leg colour is another difference between these species with the herring gulls having legs that are pinkish in colour compared to the yellow coloured legs of the ring-billed gulls. Furthermore, it appears that the area around the eye of the ring-billed gull is reddish in colour compared to that of the herring gull which has yellow eyelids in summer.
Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
The second species of “other gull” that I have observed on Lac Seul is the bonaparte’s gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia). The black head and beak of this gull along with its smaller size makes it distinctively different than either the herring or ringed-bill gull. The bonaparte’s gull does not eat garbage of any kind. Instead this species forages for insects and small fish along the shallow waters of a shoreline snatching prey as it walks or swims along. It also seeks out food by flying just above the water (in a manner similar to that of a tern) and is able to snatch insects in midair or dive down to capture small fish it has located.
Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
It is possible that other species of gull also reside within the Lac Seul region over the summer. However, I have not personally observed any other than the three discussed above. (Well, not yet anyway). Also, it should be mentioned that another summer resident bird species on Lac Seul, not a gull but similar to a gull, is the common tern (Sterna hirundo). The tern is a close relative of the gull in that both are grouped into same family (Laridae) but have been divided into different subfamilies. With its long angular wings the common tern is very agile in flight being able to hover, swoop or make rapid (pardon the pun) turns in mid-air. Although the tern will pursue insects in flight, their diet is mostly fish which they capture beneath the water by plunging down from above. The common tern drinks while in flight by keeping its wing tips up while dipping its bill into the water.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
In addition to the gulls and terns, there is a rich abundance of other aquatic bird species that visit our region during the summer months. A broad and diverse category designated as shorebirds is placed within the same order (Charadriiformes) as the gulls and terns. For the Lac Seul area the shorebird category consists mainly of sandpiper and plover species but, interestingly, it excludes herons and bitterns along with cranes and their allies as these birds are allocated to a different category. Gulls, as well as shorebirds are just a few of the sub-categories in the many possibilities of birding types to be found on Lac Seul. I am still just at the beginning of my journey into exploring and learning more about birds. It can be very confusing and somewhat overwhelming trying to figure it all out but, at the same time, the challenge is worthwhile. It is very exciting to realize just how rich the diversity of bird species is within our local region and I feel so fortunate that I am able to live here. So, although I may not be a very good “birder” in that I am not always able to correctly identify the birds that I see (let alone being able to differentiate between various species of sandpipers). That doesn’t bother me in the least.
Immature Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
