Laughing Gulls are normally associated with coastal shore- Since only a single Laughing Gull was known to reside in lines. In eastern North America, breeding colonies are found this colony between 1984 and 1986, these reports do not qualify along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean north to Nova as a confirmed nesting record for Ohio. Instead, they suggest Scotia and New Brunswick (AOU 1983). They are generally rare that breeding could occur in the future under appropriate visitors away from these coasts. Since the early 1970s, however, circumstances. At this time, however, there are no satisfactory small numbers have regularly appeared along the Great Lakes. reports of paired Laughing Gulls anywhere along the Great Laughing Gulls have been annually observed in Ohio since 1972 Lakes. (Peterjohn 1989a), and during the 1980s, at least one or two Laughing Gulls nest only in large colonies, either segregated summering individuals have annually appeared somewhere along from other larids or mixed with gulls and terns. Hence, the Lake Erie. Many of these summering gulls were immatures, Oregon colony is the only location in Ohio where they would be while the few adults were presumably nonbreeders. Hence, the expected to breed. They nest on the ground, usually in moderate discovery of an adult Laughing Gull within the Ring–billed Gull to heavy vegetation (Burger and Gochfeld 1985). If the nesting colony at Oregon (Lucas County) during 1984 provided the first dates of the Oregon Laughing Gull were indicative of their indication of nesting anywhere within the Great Lakes region. potential breeding chronology on the Great Lakes, then clutches A Laughing Gull was discovered on May 21, 1984 as it would be expected during May with the young hatching in June incubated a single egg. Two eggs were present on May 23, when and fledging by mid–August. a Ring-billed Gull stood next to the nest as the Laughing Gull incubated. This Ring-billed Gull assumed nesting chores after the Laughing Gull departed. On June 4, a Ring-billed Gull egg was also discovered in this nest. Both birds shared incubation duties through June 11, when the eggs disappeared (Tramer and Campbell 1986). The gulls did not attempt to renest. During 1985 and 1986, a single Laughing Gull returned to this colony. While clutches were produced during both years, whether or not it was mated to a Ring-billed Gull was never determined. The fate of these clutches was never conclusively established, but there was no proof that any eggs hatched nor any young fledged. This situation was complicated in 1986 by the appearance of a Laugh- ing X Ring-billed Gull hybrid within this colony (Peterjohn 1986b). The breeding status of this hybrid individual was never determined. However, its appearance suggested that hybrid offspring may Picture to be added have been produced during previous years. Since the hybrid was in adult plumage when it appeared in 1986 and the nesting attempt in 1984 was known to be unsuccessful, if this hybrid were produced in the Oregon colony, it must have been raised prior to 1984.
118 Blocks Special Areas Other Observations Confirmed Probable Possible
Analysis of Block Data by Physiographic Region Summary of Total Blocks % Regional Ave. # Individ Breeding Status Physiographic Blocks with with % per BBS Route No. of Blocks in Which Region Surveyed Data Data for Ohio (1982–1987) Species Recorded Lake Plain 95 – – – – Total – – Till Plain 271 – – – – Ill. Till Plain 46 – – – – Confirmed – – Glaciated Plateau 140 – – – – Probable – – Unglaciated Plateau 212 – – – – Possible – –
119 Laughing Gull