Ring-billed Gull #360

The are certainly a number of tagged gulls flying around Central Massachusets these days, as part of the DCR's gull study. I have seen a number of different individuals over the past two years, some of swhich I have reported on this blog. Most intersting has been #360 which I first saw on Whalom Lake in Lunenburg, Ma. on 12/15/2009. Today 3/4 at Fitchburg Airport, it flew directly overhead with appeared to be a Drakes Devil Dog. It was eventually stolen by a Herring Gull.

After being "mugged" it seemed to take its frustrations out on a few other Ring-billed gulls.

Giving its "long call" to warn off a few nearby "Ringers".

My sighting and locations of #360, including twice the same day at different locations.

12/15/2009 Whalom Lake Lunenburg, Ma.

12/16/2009 " "

12/22/2009 " "

12/28/2009 " "

1/05/2010 Water Tower Plaza, Leominster, Ma.

1/13/2010 Wachusett Reservior, West Boylston, Ma.

3/2/2010 Fitchburg Airport, Fitchburg, Ma. 11:45 AM

3/2/2010 Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston, Ma. 5:00PM

3/4/2010 Fitchburg Airport, Fitchburg, Ma.

Of course Whalom Lake, Fitchburg Airport and Water Tower Plaza are within a few miles of each other....and perhaps every gull in Central Massachusetts likely roosts on Wachusett Reservior.

Yesterday 3/3/2010 I had seen Herring Gull K52, on Saw Mill Pond in Fitchburg, last year I had seen the same bird on 3/12/2009 at the same location. Also yesterday was a 2nd cycle Iceland "Kumlien's" Gull on Saw Mill Pond.

For more information on the gull study click here, which includes some data from a few birds with sattellite transmitters attached.