Hi folks

I wanted to report on an interesting increase in activity on the Second and
Marion GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL colony that I have opportunity to observe. Since
about mid November there has been a notable increase in the amount of gull
activity on the nesting roof, and particularly an increase in territorial
behavior.

For the most part, all breeding behavior dropped off in September as the
juvenile birds finally headed off. I saw occasional adults in basic
plumage, as
well as some distinctive 3rd-year gulls that were clearly not the resident
breeders. It's almost impossible to identify specific gulls, so I can't say
for
certain if there were residents around. However, there is one resident female
who is identifiable because of a leg injury that results in a pronounced
limp. I
did not see her in October.

In November, the limping female returned and gull activity in general
increased.
Several adult gulls started showing territorial behavior, including choking (a
behavior where they lean forward and warble their necks like they are about to
regurgitate) and some aggressive posturing toward other gulls. I observed one
actual "fight" on a specific territory in late November.

Last year the building where the gulls nest was being re-roofed through
most of
November and December, and I was not working here the fall before, so I do not
know if this is normal behavior for this time of year. Last year I recall
things
being pretty quite in January, with a sudden increase in territorial
behavior in
mid February. I have not run into any reference to fall territorial
activity in
the literature I have read, but Kees Vermeer does report evidence of winter
territory (however, his data is sparse for November - January).

It will be interesting to see if this continues. One possible speculation is
that the behavior is linked to daylight hours, as has been discussed here in
reference to various Grouse species. Doesn't late November have about the same
hours of daylight as early February?

Any thoughts?


John Chapman
Seattle, WA
email to: ragweed at igc.org