Perhaps it is just my perception, but it seems there are less Western Gulls out
in the channel lately. For sure this last monday, there
were many many more pelicans, both large and not yet quite full grown out in
the channel and in Santa Barbara harbor than there were
Western Gulls. Perhaps a cyclical thing? The Western Gulls usually out
number everybody.
Shirley Johnson
On Jul 22, 2019, at 11:54 AM, Tara Brown (Redacted sender "tara_brown_sb" for
DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
My theory (and Lonni, NPS restoration Ranger): it was a late spring, and
many of the normal nesting sights were overgrown with dense grasses and
weeds. The gulls like to lay their eggs directly on the earth or with just a
little nesting material.
Overall there were fewer gulls nesting on Anacapa this year.
By the way, Lonni and the Conservation Corps are fixing the concrete
catchment — to gather water for the native plants. The rain and dew water
will already have fertilizer in it for the natives!
Best wishes,
Tara Brown
On Jul 22, 2019, at 10:12 AM, Jami LoVullo <legalredfox@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:legalredfox@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hi Catherine,
Any ideas why this has been a tough season for gulls? Just curious.
On Mon, Jul 22, 2019 at 9:39 AM Catherine French
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Great weather for two hikes on Anacapa. Morning boat had 34 day hikers and
afternoon boat had 50 plus 9 campers.
Most gull chicks are about 8-12 weeks old, so the gull parents have calmed
down a lot. They have been unusually stressed this nesting season. Lots of
deceased chicks and adults. They have been very aggressive this year. As the
second boat arrival was entering the cove, people watched an adult gull
attacking a fledging in the water. It was gruesome.
Lots of fledgings and soon to be, with many trying out their flight
feathers. People from Europe, China, Japan, and all over the U S. Water
temperature at AI Cove is 62. People from both boats snorkeled a enjoyed the
pristine water.
Everyone that went on my hikes were very interested in learning about
Western gulls. It was a fun day, with
bottlenose and common dolphins on the way back. And thousands of birds
feeding on bait fish.
Calm Seas,
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
Sent from my iPad Air
