: Non-breeder. but Jun-mid Aug on salt water with a concentration in the . The mud flats off the picnic area on Thompson's Island are favored. No records from fresh water other than near shore ponds and roosting areas. Most birds are sub-adults.
: to but on the as noted above, early Apr-late May and again late Sept-late Nov with from late Aug. along the in the same period but not easy to detect among the endless stream of Herring Gulls. Limited use of freshwater (see above) although birds during and just after rain storms will huddle and forage for earthworms in fields such as those at the Crooked Road/Norway Drive intersection.
: to but , as noted above, Dec-Mar. along the and outer bays into Jan. Most birds are adults. Numbers decline to near zero in very cold years with heavy ice. Limited use of freshwater.
Miscellany: Our birds probably come from the big Ring-billed colonies in Newfoundland and Labrador. A few pairs breed in the inland lakes of Northern Maine but as yet there have been no Maine coast breeders.
Last Updated: June 6th, 2022