Tag Archives: Western Gull

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Michael Reinhart wrote, “I looked out the window and saw a VERY large bird circling low over the water – an immature Bald Eagle. While grabbing my camera, I noticed that there was a gull on the water under the eagle. The eagle attacked, picking up the gull, and flew off adjusting its prey in its talons.

Another gull [a Western Gull] made a few dives at the eagle, but the eagle kept going and disappeared around the cliff.”

Mike caught sight of the juvenile Bald Eagle on a bluff where he/she presumably finished off his or her meal.

It is heartening to see the recovery of Bald Eagles. As their numbers increased, they began expanding their territory northward along the coast. First we saw a pair in Jenner, and then two years later, the Gualala Bald Eagles arrived. Could this young one be last year's offspring of the Gualala pair? Maybe!

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It's sunny and breezy today, and achingly beautiful!

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Sara Bogard photographed this funny sight, well, maybe not funny if you are the Sea Star. Here a Western Gull has stuffed an Ochre Star into its mouth. Yes, these gulls eat stars.

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

It's raining this afternoon on the Mendonoma Coast. The rain sounds nice on the roof as I type this post.

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Yes, it's sunny and toasty on the Mendonoma Coast today with not much wind. Sounds like a good day to head for the beach. Ruth Alexander was at Moat Creek on a sparkling day recently and photographed this Western Gull looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

Western Gulls are the only gull that nests on our coast. And they are year round residents.

There is a trail from Moat Creek to Bowling Ball Beach. You can find out more about it at the Mendocino Land Trust's site at this link: https://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/trails/southern-coastal-trails/moat-creek-to-schooner-gulch-trail/

Thanks to Ruth for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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These juvenile Brown Pelicans have a brown head and a white tummy. They were hatched to our south and are now migrating northward. Gail Jackson photographed the sight at Gualala Point Regional Park. Here is a group right alongside the Gualala River.

Western Gulls don't mind hanging out with the bigger birds.

And here Gail photographed a juvenile in flight, always a happy sighting.

Brown Pelicans have slow wingbeats, so they can be easier to photograph.

Thanks to Gail for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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The cute, little Western Gull chicks look like small rocks, giving them some desperately needed camouflage. Margaret Lindgren recent photographed a chick near The Sea Ranch.

Here the chick is with one of its parents.

Until the chick can fly, it is vulnerable to predators. We hope all will go well for this chick.

Thanks to Margaret for allowing me to share her photos with you here. Margaret is the owner of Unbeaten Path Tours. I highly recommend taking one of her hikes, which Rick and I recently did. I will have to report on that in another blog post! To learn more about Margaret's tours, here is the link to her website: https://www.unbeatenpathtours.com/