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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY | |
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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGYDEMYSTIFYING GULLS 6-12 January  Mew Gull. Photo by Alvaro Jaramillo Gulls have their fanatical fan base in the birding world, but for most of us they are troublesome and may even strike us with fear as their identification can be complex. They can be a dizzying group to separate (some individuals even baffle experts). Yet, their propensity to wander great distances and show up as vagrants, makes them a favorite of veteran birders everywhere. Gulls are also a perfect group for beginners as they are easy to approach and sit in plain view for extended periods, allowing detailed study. During this workshop we will review the identification, behavior and natural history of gulls, and cut through the mess that is gull identification to demystify this group of birds. The workshop will begin with a classroom session to review basics such as: "parts" of a gull and the basic understanding of age, molt and seasonal variations in plumages. We will continue with detailed information on separating the various species in North America, many of which we see on the California Coast in winter.  Thayer's Gull. Photo by Alvaro Jaramillo The San Francisco Bay area is wonderful gull country, and great for birding in general! From here we have access to the coast and San Francisco Bay – wonderful natural habitat, as well as landfills, can bring in great concentrations of gulls. Gull species which are regularly encountered during this time of year include: Western, Glaucous-winged, California, Herring, Thayer's, Ring-billed, Mew, Bonaparte's, and perhaps Heermann's Gull or even Black-legged Kittiwake. Rarer species which might be encountered include Glaucous, "Vega" and Slaty-backed gulls. And, of course we will not ignore other birds as winter shorebirds and waterfowl numbers can be staggering in the Bay Area.  Slaty-backed Gull. Photo by Alvaro Jaramillo Gulls are never truly easy birds to identify, but there are many tips and tricks which can literally take the fear out of this group, even for a beginner. We aim to clarify rather than confuse, and to make gulling fun! No course can allow you to identify all gulls, this is actually an impossibility, but we will prepare you to understand the general concepts of gull identification and chip away at this topic so that you'll gain the confidence to go out and give the local gulls a name (and age). Whether you are a beginner just learning these skills or a veteran refreshing them, this workshop promises to be a fun and interactive experience as well as super birding!  Alvaro Jaramillo is a biologist and professional tour leader for Field Guides, Inc. specializing in the Americas, and in particular southernmost South America. His interests range from field identification, to the evolution of behavior, and conservation biology of migratory birds in California. Alvaro has a particular fascination with gulls, and has recently helped discover that numbers of Asian gulls (such as Vega and Slaty-backed) regularly winter in the local gull flock near his home in Half Moon Bay, California! He authored the recent field guide Birds of Chile (2003), and co-authored the Helm Series title New World Blackbirds: The Icterids (1999). He also contributed a chapter to Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior (2001) and is an associate editor for the ABA periodical publication North American Birds. His passion is not only to understand the biology and identification of birds, but to pass on this information to enrich the birding experience for other birders.  Glaucous-winged Gull. Photo by Alvaro Jaramillo Our base will be in Half Moon Bay, CA, less than half an hour's drive from the San Francisco International Airport. This provides a central and coastal location that gives us easy access to the San Francisco Bay, as well as straight-forward access to the San Mateo county coast. We will be visiting various gull and coastal ocean birding hotspots, including Half Moon Bay, the Palo Alto Baylands, and the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. We may venture farther afield if "goodies" are reported elsewhere. Lecture sessions will be held at our hotel.  Western Gull. Photo by Alvaro Jaramillo This workshop will require some moderate walking over soft sand and mudflats, but will usually be restricted to observation from maintained trails and roads. Field time will be leisurely, with plenty of time to study and enjoy the gulls and coastal seabirds we find. Weather varies from sunny and cool to moderately cold on the Pacific coast. Plan on wearing layers to be able to adjust to the various microclimates of the San Francisco Bay Area. Rain is possible at any time during the San Francisco Bay Area winter. $1775 Registration fee includes ground transportation during the workshop, lodging, breakfasts, some lunches and closing dinner. Limited to 10 participants. ABA Institute for Field Ornithology, ABA |
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