Historical Overview, Seasonal Timing and Abundance of Little Gull at Point Pelee,

Alan Wormington

Introduction The Little Gull ( Hydrocoloeus minutus ) is Tozer and Richards 1974), 1977 at Bas - a widespread and relatively common sett Island, Lambton (Kelley 1983) and species across much of Europe and Asia, 1979 at North Limestone Island, Parry but in North America it is generally cat - Sound (Mills 1981:64, Weseloh 2007). egorized as rare and local. Large numbers, Such nestings indicate that Little Gulls however, are occasionally reported in could be found breeding at any suitable Ontario, and the province is often con - location along the Great Lakes — includ - sidered to be the epicentre of Little Gull ing Point Pelee. However, despite the abundance within the continent ( e.g. , spor adic nestings in southern Ontario see Hoar and Weseloh 2012). (and elsewhere in the Great Lakes Following the discovery of the first Region), it is generally assumed that with - nests of Little Gull in North America at in North America most Little Gulls nest Oshawa Second Marsh, Durham ,in 1962 in the Lowlands (McRae (Scott 1962, 1963; Richards 1973), there 1989, Ewins and Weseloh 1999). have been additional nestings in south - There has been considerable debate ern Ontario. With the year of first nest - over the decades concerning the increase ing, these include 1970 at Rondeau Pro - of Little Gull sightings in Ontario (and v incial Park, Chatham-Kent (Good win North America); was this increase the 1971, Kelley 1978:40), 1971 at Cran - result of a relatively recent colonization berry Marsh, Durham (Richards 1973, from the Old World as suggested by some

2 Ontario Birds April 2015 Figure 1. Western Lake Erie showing the location of the study area (Point Pelee Birding Area).

authors (Baillie 1963, Hutchinson and timing, abundance and the behaviour of Neath 1978, Austen et al. 1994), or had the various age classes. In almost all the species been present all along but respects, the migration and timing of Lit - simply overlooked (McRae 1989)? That tle Gull at Point Pelee (and southern some birds are derived from the Old Ontario generally) is essentially identical World has been proven by banding to that of Bonaparte’s Gull, with only a records, and this even includes a banded few minor differences. These differences bird observed at Point Pelee. On 25 July are detailed below in the seasonal 2001, the author observed a pair of adult accounts. “Point Pe lee” refers to the offi - Little Gulls at Sturgeon Creek, one of cial Point Pelee Bird ing Area, which is a which was banded. With the aid of a tel - standard Christmas Bird Count circle (24 escope most of the band number was km/15 mile diameter) centred just north read, enough so that later it was deter - of Point Pelee National Park; the area mined the bird had been banded in Fin - includes Wheatley and Wheatley Provin - land, almost certainly in the nest (as a cial Park to the northeast, and Leaming - chick) in 1998 (Anonymous 2001). ton and Seacliff Beach to the northwest The purpose of this paper is to pre - (Figure 1). sent a comprehensive account on the stat us of Little Gull at Point Pelee, to include detailed information on seasonal

Volume 33 Number 1 3 Methods and Sources of Information Historical Overview Information for this paper is derived from The first Little Gull recorded at Point multiple sources. Since the late 1970s, the Pelee was on 25 April 1957. On that date author has consistently compiled season - an adult bird was seen in flight over Lake al summaries of bird sightings for the Erie opposite Sanctuary Pond (just south Point Pelee Birding Area; these include of the entrance to Point Pelee National both personal sightings in addition to Park); the observers were Robert A. Hen - those of many visiting birders. For the ry, Peter J. Hamel, Robert W. Stamp and period prior to the late 1970s, informa - P. Norman Chesterfield (Hamel 1958, tion on Little Gull was gleaned mostly Wormington 2007). Also in 1957, on 24 from the published literature, and for both May, a first-summer Little Gull was historical and recent records this included observed at the Tip by John A. Crosby a complete review of the journals Aud- et a l. This was the famous “Ross’s Gull” as ubon Field Notes (1947–1970), American published by some authors (Stirrett Birds (1971–1993), Field Notes (199 4– 1973a:18, James et al. 1976:27, Speirs 1998) and North American Birds 1985:365), but the drawings of this bird (1999 –2014). For Point Pelee specifical - are so superb, there is no question that ly, much of the useable data for Little Gull they instead portray a Little Gull (James pertains to recent times. On an annual 1984, Wormington 2007). Little Gull was basis, consistent and detailed reporting of not recorded again at Point Pelee until 18 all bird species at Point Pelee did not begin September 1961 (Stirrett 1973b:20); the until the late 1970s, thus most of the data species was then found almost annually on Little Gull presented in this paper are through to the early 1970s, and then based on that time period to the present . annually thereafter to the present. The interpretatio n of records rests The number of reported observations largely with the author, who has studied over the decades appears to match closely in detail the seasonal status of Little Gull the increase of birder activity at Point at Point Pelee since the early 1980s. The Pelee during the same time period. Cer - interpretation of data can occasionally be tainly in modern times at Point Pelee, it subjective; however, over the longer term has consistently been noted that the distinctive seasonal patterns have emerged majority of Little Gulls are still found that can support the various viewpoints by a minority of birders. This strongly that have evolved over time. To describe suggests that the species is still overlooked the various ages of Little Gull, for clarity by many birders and, as such, may explain I have elected to use an age-based system why earlier visits to Point Pelee failed to rather than a plumage-based system. record the species. Fewer birders, fewer Thus, various groups are discussed and visits, and overlooking the species (all in categorized based on their age, even combination), could easily account for the though plumage descriptors are some - apparent scarcity of early records. times added for additional clarity. Espe - The regularity of Little Gull today at cially for gulls, the age-based system was Point Pelee can be attributed to a number first popularized by Grant (1982). of factors. The waters of the western basin

4 Ontario Birds April 2015 LITTLE GULL Uncommon Spring and Fall Transient Irregular Rare (Usually Absent) Summer Resident (Breeding Suspected) Uncommon Summer Visitor (Non-Breeding) Very Rare Winter Visitor

(Winter / February 13, 16, March 15) March 20 – May 18 (May 30, June 3, 6 / Summer) (Summer / June 28, July 9, 10) July 15 – December 24 (January 11, 16, 23 / Winter)

Figure 2. A summary of the status of Little Gull at Point Pelee throughout the year. Dates in bold text indicate “normal” first and last dates for migration (spring and fall); dates not in bold text indicate extreme migration dates. (From Wormington 2015) . of Lake Erie are both shallow and rich in birds form the bulk of the summering food sources, and this has always attract - population, but this age class is essen - ed huge numbers of various waterbirds. tially unknown during the few winters Point Pelee proper hosts a wide range of when the species has been recorded. habitats that specifically attract large Almost always, Little Gulls at Point Pelee numbers of gulls. These include abun - are found in association with the much dant offshore waters, long stretches of more numerous Bonaparte’s Gull. The accessible shoreline (mostly sand beach - seasonal status and timing of Little Gull es), large marshes (Hillman Marsh and at Point Pelee is presented below i n sep - Pelee Marsh), several harbours and mari - arate sections, for both spring and fall nas (Wheatley, Sturgeon Creek and migrations, and for summer and winter Leamington), and expansive areas of seasons. large and very flat agricultural fields. All of these habitats are compacted into a rel - Spring Migration atively small area, and apparently provide Pre viousl y it was described that Bona - excellent benefits for Little Gull — name - parte ’s Gulls at Point Pelee during spring ly areas for both feeding and loafing. (and fall) engage in what has been described as a “two-tier” migration (Wor - Seasonal Status and Timing m ington 2001a, 2013a; Tozer 2012:150- The seasonal status o f Little Gull at Point 151), and this applies to Little Gull as Pelee is rather c omplex. Occurrences at well. After departing their wintering Point Pelee include both spring and fall grounds, birds initially make a long-dis - migrants, in addition to numbers that tance flight to a specific region, where at also summer here (Figure 2). Depending that general location they remain for on the time of year, the behaviour of some time while moulting into summer adult and immature birds can be mark - plumage. Later they then make another edly different, and this further adds to long-distance flight , this time essentia lly the overall complexity. Also, immature direct to their boreal breeding grounds.

Volume 33 Number 1 5 The earliest three records for spring This bird was associating with 255 migrants at Point Pelee are as follows: Bonaparte’s Gulls, the first influx of that species for the spring (Runtz • 13 February 2001 : one adult, 1983:9). Wheatley Harbour (Alan Worming - ton, Henrietta T. O’Neill). This bird The first spring migrants typically was with a flock of 27 adult Bona - arrive at Point Pelee during the general parte’s Gulls, which likewise were the time frame of late March to early April, earliest spring migrants of the species but the first recorded arrivals tend to be ever recorded at Point Pelee (Worm - erratic for the simple reason that the ington 2013a). Prior to this observa - species is not overly common. In fact, the tion, no wintering Bonaparte’s Gulls first migrants tend to be single birds only. had been present at Point Pelee, and Later, if any concentrations of Little the last fall migrants were reported in Gulls develop at Point Pelee, it is usually late Dec ember of the previous year during the period including the middle (Wormington 2001b). Also, that win - of April to the middle of May (Figure 3). ter it is known that no Bonaparte’s During this time period the vast majori - Gulls wintered along the Lake Erie ty of birds are adults, since first-summer shoreline in Ohio, a location where immatures do not normally put in a first wintering birds are often abundant appearance until late April or early May, (Wormington 2013a). The spring and even then, single birds only are the migration of 2001 started exception - norm (Figure 4). It is typical for adult ally early at Point Pelee, with 13 Little Gulls to remain at Point Pelee until species (including Little Gull) found the middle of May (or occasionally later), on record-early dates up to just 20 but eventually there will be a quick exo - February alone (Wormington 2001c). dus of adult birds and these departures generally correspond to a sudden increase • 16 February 2006 : two adults, in temperature (and associated south Wheatley Harbour (Alan Worming - winds). ton). Despite the fact that numbers Spring migrants at Point Pelee spend a of Bonaparte’s Gulls were wintering great deal of time foraging, and during this season at Point Pelee, these Little this time they are apt to be found at sev - Gulls are nonetheless considered eral different locations. These include all spring migrants. Not only were the shorelines, both inshore and offshore two birds together (suggesting a waters of Lake Erie, local harbours, mar - mated pair), but during the same inas and marshes, and agricultural fields week there was a major incursion of (especially those that are wet or flooded). spring migrants of various species at At this time of year, most Little Gulls are Point Pelee (Wormington 2006). typically found among concentrations of Bonaparte’s Gulls. • 15 March 1983 : one adult, NE Hillman Marsh (Alan Wormington).

6 Ontario Birds April 2015 16

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Figure 3. Maximum daily counts (two or more birds) for Little Gull during spring migration at Point Pelee, presented in 5-day intervals. For the period after 10 May, adult birds only are included since after that date it is not possible to determine if observed first-summer immatures are spring migrants or, instead, potential summering birds.

Figure 4. A first-summer (one-year-old) immature Little Gull at the Tip of Point Pelee National Park, on 8 May 2014. Photo: Alan Wormington.

Volume 33 Number 1 7 The earliest four records for first-summer •5— 10 May 2000: 3-Wheatley Har - (one-year-old) immatures at Point Pelee bour (Alfred H. Rider), 2-Tip (Kevin are as follows: A. McLaughlin) • 25 March 2011 : one, Lake Erie at •4— 17 May 1981: Hillman Marsh NE Hillman Marsh (Marianne B. (Mike Parr et al. ). Reid). •4— 16 March 2002: Wheatley • 3 April 1983 : one, Wheatley Harbour Harbour (Dean J. Ware) (Alan Wormington). •4— 16 May 2008: Wheatley Harbour • 10 April 1984 : one, Tip (Paul D. to NW Hillman Marsh (Alan Worm - Pratt, Audrey S. Weir, Esther A. ington et al. ). Cusick). The latest three records for spring mi - • 14 April 2013 : one, Concession Road g rants (adults) at Point Pelee are as fol - E (Jeremy M. Bensette et al .). lows: • 6 June 1978 : one summer-plumaged The highest daily counts for spring mi- adult (present since 24 May), Tip grants at Point Pelee are as follows (with (Alan Wormington, Peter Whelan adults-only included after 10 May): et al. ). • 14 — 9 April 1983: Wheatley Har - • 3 June 2012 : one summer-plumaged bour (Alan Wormington, Michael J. adult, NW Hillman Marsh (Dean J. Oldham); all of these birds were Ware). adults. At the same location 13 adults were also present on 18 April (Runtz • 30 May 1969 : one summer-plumaged 1983:9) and 9 birds (mixed ages) adult, Tip (James L. Baillie et al .). were present on 3 April (A. Worm- ing ton, unpublished data). As I previously described for Bonaparte’s Gull (Wormington 2013a), the latest •7— 7 May 1971: Hillman Marsh spring migrants (adults) to be recorded at (Joseph P. Kleiman, Jeffrey A. Point Pelee for that species are 26 May Greenhouse, Dennis F. Rupert). (1983), 25 May (1996) and 25 May •7— 25 April 1992: 6-Wheatley (2008). In comparison, the latest spring Harbour (Alan Wormington), occurrences for Little Gull are all later than 1-Onion Fields (Karl R. Overman, those dates, which indicates that the Warren A. Hall). species can be a slightly later spring mi- •6— 11 May 2001: 5-Hillman Marsh, g rant (on average) than Bonaparte’s Gull. 1-Tip (Dean J. Ware). • 5 — 7 May 1998: Tip (David Smitley, J. Michael Tate et al. ).

8 Ontario Birds April 2015 Summer Summer – Suspected Breeding Summer – Non-Breeding During the summer of 2009, there was a All Little Gulls found summering at series of sightings involving adult birds, Point Pelee have been first-summer which suggested nesting at Point Pelee immatures, with the exception of adult even though no direct evidence was birds recorded in 2009 and 2013 as obtained (Wormington 2009). This was described above. Summering immatures the first time ever that any age-class other are invariably found associating with than first-summer immature had been flocks of similar-aged Bonaparte’s Gulls, recorded at Point Pelee during summer which feed or congregate at such loca - (Wormington 2015). The observation of tions as the Tip, East Beach, Onion Fields adults included two at NW Hillman (located directly north of Point Pelee Marsh on 3 June (Marianne B. Reid). National Park), Hillman Marsh, Seacliff This was followed by the observation of Beach or Leamington Marina. The num - single adults on 14 June at East Beach ber of Little Gulls that are present during (Blake A. Mann) and 26 June at Conces - any single summer seems to be directly sion Road E (Alan Wormington); both of correlated to the population size of sum - these locations are immediately adjacent mering Bonaparte’s Gulls. to Pelee Marsh. All of these sightings may First-summer (immature) Little Gulls have pertained to the same pair of adults, are relatively late arrivals at Point Pelee, and the fact that later sightings were of and are normally not detected for the first single birds only suggests that the miss - time until late April or early May. Keep - ing adult could have been attending a ing in mind that this age class (and the nearby nest. Within Pelee Marsh, the species as a whole) is not common, species could easily nest in association nonetheless it appears that first-summer with the many pairs of Black Terns that Little Gulls arrive somewhat later (on are present here, where such a nesting average) than similar-aged Bonaparte’s would be very difficult to detect. Gulls (Wormington 2013a). Tabulations In 2013, an adult bird was seen at the for first-summer Little Gulls are present - Tip on 16 June (Alan Wormington, ed for the middle of May through to late Stephen T. Pike, Cassandra L. Gagnon, July (Figure 5), but not all birds during Robert G. Hill) and presumably the same this period necessarily pertain to those adult was also there on 22 June (Blake A. that summered at Point Pelee. Numbers Mann); both times the bird was associat - are sometimes present in the middle of ing with summering, immature Bona - May or late May, but many of these birds parte’s Gulls (Wormington 2013b). Pre - are likely spring migrants that will even - sumably this adult was a failed breeder, tually depart the area. As to when the but its origin is unknown. Likely, how - spring passage of first-summer immatures ever, it was engaged in breeding activity is over is not precisely known. However, somewhere in the Great Lakes Region, certainly by the first of June all birds pres - but not necessarily close to Point Pelee. ent at Point Pelee can be assumed to be

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Figure 5. Maximum daily counts (two or more birds) for first-summer (immature) Little Gulls at Point Pelee, presented in 5-day intervals.

summering. Tabulations for first-summer The highest daily counts for first-sum - immatures extend to late July only, after mer immatures at Point Pelee during spe - which this age class is difficult to find and cific summer seasons (on or after 1 June) in fact there are no observations pertain - are as follows: ing to more than single birds only. •8— 5 June 1999: Onion Fields Although most summering records (Alan Wormington et al. ). presumably refer to birds that have •7— 8 June 2007: Hillman Marsh remained throughout the season (either (Alan Wormington). at or near Point Pelee), numbers tend to peak in late May through to the middle •6— 3 June 2000: Hillman Beach of June and then gradually decrease (Dean J. Ware). thereafter (Figure 5); by July and August, • 6 — 1 July 2006: west side of Tip summering birds can be exceedingly dif - (Alan Wormington). ficult to locate. This pattern of declining •5— 13 June 1989: 3-Onion Fields, numbers may indicate that some birds 2-Tip (Alan Wormington). continue to move northwards, perhaps •5— 10 June 1993: Northeast Beach not as true migrants but instead as (Alan Wormington). nomadic wanderers. In any event, they appear to move away from Point Pelee •5— 9 June 1995: SW Hillman during this time. Marsh (Alan Wormington).

10 Ontario Birds April 2015 During some years, significant num - migration of Little Gull at Point Pelee, bers of first-summer Little Gulls can be adult birds are always encountered much found summering at Point Pelee. During more frequently than any other age class. the summer of 2006 it was estimated that 15-20 different birds were recorded in The earliest four records for fall migrants the area (Wormington 2007). At least 12 at Point Pelee are as follows: birds were estimated for the summer of • 28 June 2005 : one summer-plum - 2009 (Wormington 2009), and during aged adult (present to at least 3 July), the summer of 1992 at least 10 birds NW Hillman Marsh (Dean J. Ware, were probably present (Wormington Alan Wormington et al .). On both 1992). Early in the summer it is not 29 June and 3 July, a second adult unusual to observe three or more birds was also present, suggesting a proba - per day; however, after the middle of June ble pair was involved. In addition to it becomes progressively more difficult to these very early individuals, addition - find summering birds, when a single bird al early fall migrants appeared at NW per day, at most, is then the norm. Hillman Marsh including three adults on 7 July (Alan Wormington); Fall Migration subsequently at least eight more Similar to Bonaparte’s Gull (see Worm - adults were recorded at various Point ington 2013a), the fall migration of Lit - Pelee locations up to 28 July inclu - tle Gull at Point Pelee extends over a sive, indicating that the fall migration remarkable length of time, from the mid - of the species during 2005 was dle of July to late December — well over unusually early. Also on 28 June of five months of the year (Figure 6). Adult the same year, record-early Bona - birds initially arrive in breeding plumage, parte’s Gulls were also observed at complete with a black hood; while at NW Hillman Marsh, when four Point Pelee (or elsewhere) they then adults were seen (Wormington undergo a complete wing and body 2005). moult before eventually leaving the area in fresh winter plumage. Similar to spring • 9 July 2009 : five summer-plumaged migration, birds during fall again engage adults, West Cranberry Pond (Alan in a “two-tier” migration strategy as Wormington). Immediately after this described previously. In referring to observation, there was a series of Bonaparte’s Gull specifically, Howell and additional sightings of adult birds, Dunn (2007:302-305) refer to this mi - and by the end of the month at least g ration pattern as a “bimodal fall pas - 30 adults had been recorded (Worm - sage.” The start of fall migration is very ington 2009). Similar to 2005, this early and involves adult birds in immac - indicates that the fall migration of the ulate summer (breeding) plumage. The species in 2009 was unusually early. earliest arrivals are presumably failed breeders. Throughout the entire fall

Volume 33 Number 1 11 Figure 6. Maximum daily counts for Little Gull during fall migration at Point Pelee, presented in 5-day intervals.

12 Ontario Birds April 2015 • 10 July 2002 : two summer-plum- specific sites where they remain for aged adults (pair?), Lake Erie at Pelee extended periods (Wormington 2013a), Drive (Alan Wormington). These and it is here where numbers of Little birds were associating with 14 adult Gulls can sometimes be found. Favoured Bonaparte’s Gulls, also the first fall sites during this time period may include migrants of that species to be found Seacliff Beach, the Onion Fields, Pelee at Point Pelee in 2002 (Wormington Marsh and the Tip (Figure 7). 2002). For the remainder of fall migration • 10 July 2013 : one second-summer (through to December), Little Gulls at adult, Concession Road C (Alan Point Pelee tend to be highly nomadic. Wormington). Most observations pertain to birds in transit, and rarely will the same bird be The behaviour of fall migrants at seen on subsequent days. Single birds fly - Point Pelee is variable, depending on the ing past the Tip of Point Pelee represents time period involved. During the initial a typical sighting of this nature. Here they arrival of adult Little Gulls during July, are apt to be found in association with birds will often congregate with similar- Bonaparte’s Gulls, where large numbers aged Bonaparte’s Gulls. Huge flocks of of that species may pass the Tip in a short Bonaparte’s Gulls often congrega te at period of time during any given day.

Figure 7. An adult Little Gull in second-summer plumage at Seacliff Beach, a regular loafing location for this species at Point Pelee. This bird, photographed on 12 July 2008, was the first fall migrant to be recorded at Point Pelee that season. Photo: Alan Wormington

Volume 33 Number 1 13 Presumably these daily flights are relat ed total included 13 adults, 2 first-winter to feeding, with changing winds and other birds, and one second-winter bird. unknown factors dictating their direction • 16 — 23 July 2009: SE Onion Fields and intensity. Very late in the season, (Alan Wormington); all of these birds Bona parte’s Gulls may concentrate at var - were adults. ious marinas and harbours, particularly Wheatley Harbour which is a fav oured •9— 22 December 1984: this total was location; it is amongst these concentra - attained during the Christmas Bird tions where the occasional Little Gull will Count that was conducted on this also be found (Figure 8). During the late- date; three birds were at Leamington, fall time period, Little Gulls are rarely three at the Tip and singles at East encountered in local marshes or in agri - Beach, Hillman Marsh and Wheatley cult ural fields (in contrast to earlier in Harbour (multiple observers). the season). •7— 21 July 2006: Seacliff Beach (Alan Wormington); all of these birds The highest daily counts for fall migrants were adults. at Point Pelee are as follows: •7— 28 July 2014: Seacliff Beach • 16 — 4 December 1990: Wheatley (Alan Wormington); all of these birds Harbour (Alan Wormington); this were adults.

Figure 8. An adult Little Gull on 12 December 2014 at Wheatley Harbour, a location where this species may appear during late-fall migration with some regularity. Photo: Lev A. Frid

14 Ontario Birds April 2015 •5— 1 November 1992: 3-Tip, bird was associating with 250 Bona - 2-Leamington Marina (Alan Worm - parte’s Gulls, and the last fall migrants ington, Jon L. Dunn, Sue Tackett); of that species were six birds on 22 all of these birds were adults. January at the same location •5— 5 November 2007: 3-Lake Erie (Wormington 1983). at NE Hillman Marsh, 2-Tip (Kevin • 11 January 1985 : one adult, Wheat - A. McLaughlin, Alan Wormington); ley Harbour (Alan Wormington); this all of these birds were adults. bird was associating with 400 Bona - •5— 9 July 2009: West Cranberry parte’s Gulls, and it was just two days Pond (Alan Wormington); all of these later on 13 January when the last fall birds were adults. migrants of that species (3 birds) were recorded (Wormington 1985). •5— 15 July 2009: flying south off Tip (Alan Wormington); all of these Juvenile Birds birds were adults. Observations of Little Gull in true juv - enile plumage at Point Pelee are relative - Similar to B onaparte’s Gull (see ly few. Most years the first immature birds Worm ington 2013a), Little Gulls can are not recorded until late September or linger exceptionally late during fall later, when they have already moulted mi g ration in southern Ontario. At Point into first-winter plumage. Thus, the Pelee, fall mig rants have been recorded to migration of juvenile Little Gulls is dis - the middle and late December with some tinctly different from those of Bonaparte’s regularity, with 24 December considered Gull, even though fall adults of both a “normal” last date for fall migration (as species arrive at Point Pelee at essentially shown in Figure 2); the very latest fall mi - the same time (Wormington 2015). Juv- g rants have been recorded into Janu ary. enile Bonaparte’s Gulls arrive exception - The latest three records for fall migrants ally early at Point Pelee, where they are at Point Pelee are as follows: recorded annually by late July (Worm - ington 2013a). Shortly thereafter num - • 23 January 2010 : one adult, Tip bers may build up rapidly, indicating that (Blake A. Mann). Also at the Tip on many birds begin their southward jour - the same date were an exceptional ney immediately upon leaving the nest. 900 Bonaparte’s Gulls, the last fall An example of an exceptional concentra - migrants of that species to be record - tion of early juvenile Bonaparte’s Gulls is ed; in adjacent Ohio waters it is the 120 birds present on 29 July 2010 known that most Bonaparte’s Gulls (Wor mington 2015). In contrast, juve - had departed by the middle of Janu - nile Little Gulls arrive considerably later ary, with very few birds present at Point Pelee, and are generally not thereafter (Wormington 2010). detected most years until late September • 16 January 1983 : one adult, Wheat - or later. The differential between the ear - ley Harbour (Alan Wormington); this liest-ever arrival of a juvenile Bonaparte’s

Volume 33 Number 1 15 Gull at Point Pelee on 19 July (Worming - long series of records categorized as “win - ton 2013a) and the earliest-ever juvenile ter” records for multiple locations in Little Gull on 20 August (Wormington southern Ontario, but virtually all of these 2014) is a significant 32 days. Excluding pertain to late-fall migrants within the the very early 20 August record of a juve - time frame of early December to early nile Little Gull, the next earliest record is January inclusive. The only location in the 2 September, which creates a differential province where Little Gull is somewhat arrival (compared to the earliest-ever juv- regular as a true overwintering species is enile Bonaparte’s Gull) of 45 days. The the Niagara River, where very small num - pattern of late-arriving juvenile Little bers might be present during some win - Gulls suggests that after leaving the nest ters (Bellerby et al. 2000). they remain relatively close by, rather than At Point Pelee the overwintering of quickly migrating south, as is the case Lit tle Gull is likewise a rare event, even with many juvenile Bonaparte’s Gulls. At though fall migrants may linger into the least in Ontario, juvenile Little Gulls are middle or late December with some routinely seen during the month of regularity (Figure 6). In total, Little Gull August on , where nesting is has been recorded as wintering at Point presumed to be widespread within the Pelee during only three winter seasons. I Hudson Bay Lowlands; an example of this previously reported that Bonaparte’s Gull includes the several juveniles that were had been recorded as wintering at Point seen by the author and others at Netitishi Pelee during only eight winter seasons Point, southern James Bay, during the (Wormington 2013a); all wintering period of 13-26 August 2011 inclusive records of Little Gull pertain to three of (Wormington 2011). these eight seasons. The first true winter record of Little The earliest four records for juvenile Gull for Point Pelee involved a second- birds at Point Pelee are as follows: winter immature that was present at • 20 August 2014 : one, Seacliff Beach Wheat ley Harbour on 12 February 1991 (Richard P. Carr). (Alan Wormington); this bird appeared • 2 September 1981 : one, Tip (Robert with a flock of 75 Bonaparte's Gulls G. Finlayson). (Worm ington 1991), an unusual concen - • 3 September 1980 : one, Tip (Alan tration for mid-winter. Wormington, Ron Ridout). In 1998, a single adult was observed at Wheatley Harbour on 26 and 28 February • 3 September 2003 : one, Tip (Sarah E. (Alan Wormington et al. ); on 27 Feb ru ary Rupert). of the same year, two adults were found at the Tip amongst an exceptional concen - Winter tration of 550 over-wintering Bon a par te’s Similar to Bonaparte’s Gull (see Worm - Gulls (Alan Wormington). Although ington 2013a), true overwintering of Lit - impossible to determine with certainty, it tle Gull in Ontario is a relatively rare is assumed that three different Little Gulls event. Speirs (1985:336-337) provided a were i nvolved in these sightings.

16 Ontario Birds April 2015 During the winter of 2001-2002, there late February to the middle of March. was a series of Little Gull observations that Such late-winter increases were docu - pertained to birds that were over-winter - mented in four different years (1998, ing at Point Pelee. These included two 2002, 2006 and 2012), out of the eight adults at Wheatley Harbour on 10 Febru - years in total in which wintering of the ary (Blake A. Mann); two adults (perhaps species has taken place at Point Pelee. Of the same) were also at Wheatley Harbour the three winter seasons in which Little on 28 Februar y–2 March (Alan Worm - Gull has been recorded at Point Pelee, two ington et al. ). Then on 9 March, two sep - have been during the four years thus arate adults were seen — one at Wheatley described for wintering Bonaparte’s Gull. Harbour, and another flying over fields These late-winter increases are typically just north of Hillman Marsh (Karl R. triggered by warm weather and thus melt - Over man, James B. Lesser); perhaps these ing of ice cover on Lake Erie, and the were the same two birds once more. Final - source of these birds is presumed to be ly, from 28 February –8 March, a first-win - from the Lake Erie shoreline of Ohio, ter im mature was also present at Wheatley where large numbers are known to be win - Harbour (Alan Wormington et al. ). tering. Thus these late-winter concentra - When describing the status of winter - tions are derived from birds that are ing Bonaparte’s Gulls at Point Pelee already wintering elsewhere on Lake Erie (Wormington 2013a), I noted that there (predominately in Ohio waters), and they is often an uptick in numbers very late in simply shift to Point Pelee when condi - the season, namely during the period of tions become favourable.

Volume 33 Number 1 17 Little Gull concentrations Elgin County elsewhere on Lake Erie • 22 — 5 October 2011: Port Burwell Point Pelee is a significant location for Little Gull (Kenneth G.D. Burrell); this total included in southern Ontario, but elsewhere on Lake Erie 14 adults, 4 second-winter, and 4 first- there are several additional locations that are also winter birds. significant. Below is a tabulation for Little Gull con - • 17 — 28 August 2011: Port Burwell centrations elsewhere on Lake Erie, at selected (Kenneth G.D. Burrell). Ontario sites. Included are actual record-high counts, in addition to other high counts of note • 15 — 11 September 2005: Port Burwell that pertain to various times of the year. (David A. Martin, Linda Wladarski, Ross C. Snider); this total included 8 juveniles and Rondeau Birding Area, Chatham–Kent 7 adult birds. Regional Municipality • 15 — 28 March 2007: Port Bruce • 56 — 27 March 1983: Erieau to Shrewsbury (Bruce de Boer, Christine de Boer). (Alan Wormington, Keith J. Burk, P. Allen • 14 — 19 July 2001: Port Burwell (David A. Woodliffe); all of these birds were adults. Martin, Linda Wladarski et al .); this total • 35 — 6 July 1974: Erieau (Joseph P. included 11 adults, two first-summer, and Kleiman). one second-summer bird. • 17 — 5 July 1975: Erieau (Joseph P. • 10 — 4 August 2003: Port Burwell (David A. Kleiman). Martin, Linda Wladarski); this total included 8 adults and 2 first-summer birds. • 13 — 16 August 1974: Erieau (Keith J. Burk). • 10 — 16 December 2012: Port Burwell • 12 — 8 July 1970: Rondeau Marsh (Robert (Jeffrey H. Skevington). C. Simpson, John A. Kelley); this total includ - ed 4 adults and 8 juveniles (at two nests). • 12 — 29 November 1985: Rondeau Provin - Long Point Birding Area, Norfolk County cial Park (Joseph L. Bartell, Judy Bartell); • 266 — 6 November 1988: Inner Bay at Port all of these birds were adults. Rowan (Ron Ridout, Donald A. Sutherland); • 12 — 25 July 2009: these birds were virtually all adults. (Blake A. Mann); this total included 11 • 250 — 25 November 2002: Inner Bay at adults and one first-summer immature. Port Rowan (Richard Joos). • 11 — 12 October 2014: Rondeau Provincial • 145 — 11 March 2012: Turkey Point Park (Blake A. Mann, James T. Burk); this (Barbara N. Charlton, Robert Z. Dobos, total included 9 adults and 2 first-summer Ron Ridout) — virtually all of these birds birds. were adults, with the exception of 2 • 10 — 3 April 2009: Erieau (James T. Burk); first-summer immatures. all of these birds were adults. • 130 — 26 October 2013: Inner Bay at Port • 9 — 26 May 2006: Shrewsbury (David A. Rowan and Long Point Causeway (Stuart A. Martin, Linda Wladarski); all of these birds Mackenzie, Ron Ridout); all of these birds were first-summer immatures. were adults, with the exception of 6 first- winter immatures.

18 Ontario Birds April 2015 • 106 — 14 December 1991: Inner Bay at Acknowledgements St. Williams (Alan Wormington, Claudia A. All birders who have made observations Schaefer, Mark W. Jennings); all of these at Point Pelee over the years, and who birds were adults. have later reported those observations • 92 — 31 March 2013: Turkey Point by any one of a number of methods, (Ron Ridout). deserve special recognition. Without • 73 — 28 July 1985: Long Point Flats (Alan such sightings, compilations as present - Wormington, Alan W. McTavish, Tim Sabo); ed here for Little Gull would simply not this total included 45 adults, 23 first-sum - be possible. Jeffrey Costa prepared some mer, and 5 second-summer birds. of the figures, and his time devoted to • 50 — 21 August 1997: Courtright Ridge this task was much appreciated. Thanks (David Geale, Gavin C. Platt) — the majority to P. Allen Woodliffe, who provided Lit - of these birds were adults. tle Gull compilations for the Rondeau Birding Area. Likewise, David A. Mar - • 45 — 11 April 1999: Turkey Point (Ron Ridout). tin researched Little Gull high counts for both Elgin County and Long Point. • 40 — 17 July 1976: Long Point Flats The writing of this paper was sponsored (B. Eaton, Rob Copeland). by Environment Canada, with a con - • 37 — 29 June 1975: Long Point Flats tract awarded to the author. D.V. (Alan Wormington); this total included 19 “Chip” Weseloh and David J. Moore, juveniles, 9 adults, and 9 first-summer birds; Canadian Wildlife Service, were the the presence of so many juveniles on the Departmental Representatives for the very early date undoubtedly indicates breed - contract. ing at this site.

Port Dover, Norfolk County Literature Cited • 120 — 3 November 1996: Port Dover Anonymous . 2001. Point Pelee Little Gull (Long Point Bird Observatory). Banded in Finland! Point Pelee Natural History News 1:82. • 30 — 4 April 2009: Port Dover Austen, M.J.W. , M.D. Cadman and R.D. (Philip D. Taylor). James . 1994. Ontario Birds at Risk: Status and Conservation Needs. Federation of Ontario Naturalists and Long Point Bird Observatory. 165 pp. Baillie, J.L. 1963. Three Bird Immigrants from the Old World. Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute 34:95-105. Bellerby, G ., D.A. Kirk and D.V. Weseloh . 2000. Staging Little Gulls, Larus minutus , on the Niagara River, Ontario: 1987-1996. The Canadian Field-Natural ist 114:58 4- 590.

Volume 33 Number 1 19 Ewins, P.J. and D.V. Weseloh . 1999. Little Mills, A. 1981. A Cottager’s Guide to The Gull ( Hydrocoloeus minutus ), The Birds of Birds of Muskoka and Parry Sound. Privately North America Online (A. Poole, Editor). published, Toronto. 209 pp. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Richards, J.M. 1973. Little Gull Nestings. retrieved from: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/ Ontario Naturalist 13(2):38-41. bna/species/428 Runtz, M. 1983. Sixth Annual (1983) Spring Goodwin, C.E. 1971. Ontario–Western New Migration Report: Point Pelee National Park York Region. American Birds 25:851-854. & Vicinity. Parks Canada. 21 pp. Grant, P.J . 1982. Gulls: a guide to identifica - Scott, G. 1962. First recorded nesting of the tion. T. and A.D. Poyser Ltd.: Calton, little gull in the New World. The Naturalist Staffordshire, England. 280 pp. 8:6-7. Hamel, P. 1958. A trip to Point Pelee. Bul - Scott, G.A. 1963. First nesting of the Little letin of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists Gull ( Larus minutus ) in Ontario and in the 80:17-19. New World. Auk 80:548-549. Hoar, T. and D.V.C Weseloh . 2012. The Speirs, J.M. 1985. Birds of Ontario. Natural Importance of one Great Lakes to Heritage / Natural History Inc.: Toronto, the continental population of one species: Ontario. 986 pp. The Little Gull, Larus minutus , at Oshawa Stirrett, G.M. 1973a. The Spring Birds of Second Marsh. Poster Presentation. Ontario Point Pelee National Park. Parks Canada: Conference: Toronto, Ontario. Ottawa. 32 pp. Howell, S.N.G. and J. Dunn . 2007. Gulls of Stirrett, G.M. 1973b. The Autumn Birds of the Americas. Houghton Mifflin Company: Point Pelee National Park. Parks Canada: Boston and New York. 516 pp. Ottawa. 36 pp. Hutchinson, D. and B. Neath . 1978. Little Tozer, R. 2012. Birds of Algonquin Park. Gulls in Britain and Ireland. British Birds The Friends of Algonquin Park: Whitney, 71:563-582. Ontario. 474 pp. James, R.D. , P.L. McLaren and J.C. Barlow . Tozer, R.G. and J.M. Richards . 1974. Birds 1976. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of of the Oshawa-Lake Scugog Region, Ontario. Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum: Toronto. Alger Press Limited: Oshawa, Ontario. 384 75 pp. pp. James, R.D. 1984. Ontario Bird Records Weseloh, D.V.C. 2007. Discovery and Nest - Committee Report for 1983. Ontario Birds ing of the Little Gull on North Limestone 2:53-65. Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, 1979- Kelley, A.H. 1978. Birds of Southeastern 1991. Ontario Birds 25:90-103. Michigan and Southwestern Ontario. Cran - Wormington, A. 1983. Point Pelee National brook Institute of Science. Bloomfield Hills, Park & Vicinity – Winter Season 1982/1983. Michigan. 99 pp. Unpublished. 6 pp. Kelley, A.H. 1983. Birds of S.E. Michigan Wormington, A. 1985. Point Pelee National and S.W. Ontario: Notes on the Years 1975- Park & Vicinity – Winter Season 1984/1985. 1981. Jack-Pine Warbler 61:3-12. Unpublished. 6 pp. McRae, D. 1989. Little Gull: Immigrant or Elusive Resident? Seasons 29(1):44-45.

20 Ontario Birds April 2015 Wormington, A. 1991. Point Pelee Observa - Wormington, A . 2010. Point Pelee Observa - tions – Winter 1990-91. Unpublished. 9 pp. tions – Winter 2009-2010. Unpublished Wormington, A. 1992. Point Pelee Observa - 6 pp. tions – Summer 1992. Unpublished. 6 pp. Wormington, A. 2011. Southern James Bay Wormington, A. 2001a. Early Fall Migration – Fall 2011. Unpublished. 20 pp. of Bonaparte’s Gull at Point Pelee. Point Wormington, A. 2013a. Historical Over - Pelee Natural History News 1:38-40. view, Seasonal Timing and Abundance of Wormington, A . 2001b. Point Pelee Obser - Bonaparte’s Gull at Point Pelee, Ontario. vations – Winter 2000-2001. Unpublished. Ontario Birds 31:101-119. 11 pp. Wormington, A. 2013b. Point Pelee Obser - Wormington, A. 2001c. Early Migrants at vations – Summer 2013. Unpublished. 7 pp. Point Pelee: Spring 2001. Point Pelee Natural Wormington, A. 2014. Point Pelee Observa - History News 1:9-11. tions – Fall 2014. Unpublished. Wormington, A. 2002. Point Pelee Observa - Wormington, A. 2015. The Birds of Point tions – Summer 2002. Unpublished. 8 pp. Pelee. Unpublished manuscript. Wormington, A. 2005. Point Pelee Observa - tions – Summer 2005. Unpublished. 17 pp. Alan Wormington Wormington, A. 2006. Point Pelee Observa - R.R. #1, Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V4 tion s–Winter 2005-2006. Unpublished. E-mail: [email protected] 13 pp. Wormington, A. 2007. Gulls of Point Pelee: Record 18 Species in 2006. OFO News 25(1):2-6. Wormington, A. 2009. Point Pelee Observa - tions – Summer 2009. Unpublished. 7 pp.

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