[cobirds] Larimer County Gulls (Great Black-backed Gull)

I visited the local gull hotspot this evening (5:45-7 pm) and was not disappointed, as 800 gulls lounged on the mudflats and shallow waters of Horseshoe Lake's southwest corner, located in northeast Loveland, just west of Boyd Lake State Park.

Most (95%) of these gulls are staging adult California Gulls which will eventually move out to a nearby nesting colony, either in Jackson or Weld County. Today, there were about 35 (4%) Herring Gulls, many in adult breeding plumage. There were 8 (1%) Lesser Black-backed Gulls, half of which were in adult breeding plumage, and half immature of various ages. Amazingly, there were only 2 Ring-billed Gulls, which apparently have moved out in search of greener pastures, literally. And last, but certainly not least, was a first-cycle Great Black-backed Gull. One had been reported here about a month ago which I had missed, so I was especially happy to see it. A photo of this monster of a gull is below, on the right, with Herring and California Gulls to its left.

There was no sign of the first spring Mew Gull or the adult Franklin's Gull which have been tripping the eBird rarity filter all month.

You can view these birds through a telescope from a city utility easement just north of the inlet canal. I parked on a side street to the west, across Monroe St.

Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO

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