Icelandic Gull

One very windy Sunday morning I went down to see if I could spot loons wintering near one New England Beach, which they usually do. No luck spotting any, however, I saw this gull which appeared to be picking up a rock, but I am sure it is a shell.

Icelandic Gull

Merlin gives three choices for this gull. The first one is an Icelandic Gull. If I am wrong, let me know. The other two to me do not look that close to this one. It is hard to tell with the early morning light, but it appears to be an immature. The east coast of the northern US is within the range for the non breeding gulls. Only some of the gulls migrate south for the winter. Many stay in the arctic all year.

Icelandic Gull- flying off towards the jetty

The gull appeared to be heading in the direction of the jetty. Possibly it would try to crack the shell open there? Have a great weekend.

13 thoughts on “Icelandic Gull”

    1. I’ve heard them many times. They are on almost every lake and large pond in the Adirondacks from about May – October/ November. Same in Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. If you kayak or canoe on lakes it’s a great way to see or hear them. Early morning and early evening is good.

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      2. Make a trip during the summer to a place in one of those states that people say there are loons on a lake that summer. Some hotels and BnBs are on those lakes. It is easier to see them on a boat. Go slow and stay a distance. Sometimes they will swim close to you when you stop.

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      4. I did some early morning kayaking in the Adirondacks and two came swimming up behind me talking to each other. I have also heard them closer to sunset calling to each other. One time I saw a large group gathering on one lake early morning like it was their coffee meet up. One or two at a time would fly away to a different lake talking as they were leaving.

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