By Brian Zinke
For a novice birder or even a well-traveled, experienced birder, everyone at some point has faced the disheartening ritual of writing these dreaded words on their checklist: gull spp.
As birders, we usually enjoy the challenge of trying to identify a species we are unfamiliar with. It makes us think — what’s here this time of year, what family is it in, what habitat did I see it using…this process of mentally crossing off possibilities goes on. But let’s be honest, there are some groups of birds that are just plain hard.
Luckily, we are blessed to have many knowledgeable birders in western Washington. One of our goals this year is to provide more educational opportunities for our members, and we’ve been teaming up with these expert birders to offer identification classes.
In January, Mike Donahue taught a much-needed and highly practical class on gull identification. With the useful information he provided during the lecture, several of the attendees were able to identify 6 gull species (plus the hybrid) on the field trip the following weekend! The highlight of the field trip was seeing a lone Thayer’s Gull at Be’er Sheva Park.
In February, Jean Olson taught an overarching marine birds identification class covering grebes, alcids, loons, and more. Her field trip to Point No Point and Fort Flagler also had a fantastic species list of 37, which included Long-tailed Duck, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Marbled Murrelet!
Jean Olson discusses the identifying characteristics of marine birds found in western Washington. Photo by Brian Zinke.
While many of us are great birders in our own right, one of the most enjoyable aspects of birding is that there is always something to learn. Whether it’s a tip or trick you hadn’t heard for a bird you already knew or learning the key characteristic of a species new to you, birding ensures the adventure of lifelong learning.
As an attendee of the gull class I’m pleased to say my days of writing “gull spp.” are dwindling, though I know there is still much learn.
For more information about our upcoming classes, please visit our classes page.
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Enjoy more photos from the marine birds class field trip taken by Peggy Mundy!
