Thelma Dalmas: Seagulls at home on land, too

Over the past 10 days or so, I’ve received numerous questions about “sea gulls” in the area. Most people are surprised because they associate these birds with coastal regions. Although we certainly do find gulls when we visit the beach, we can also expect to see them right here in Lynchburg.

We actually have recorded four different species of gulls in this area, but the one most likely to be seen is the ring-billed gull. It is an uncommon spring transient and winter visitor in Central Virginia. Since the species breeds around the Great Lakes and winters in large numbers on the East Coast, we can expect their numbers to increase as they begin their migration back toward the nesting grounds. A quick glance at a map will reveal that probably some of the birds fly right over us on their way north.

Last Sunday, I was in the Target parking lot on Wards Road and counted about 75 ring-billed gulls. A few people had gathered at the back portion of the lot and were throwing bread to the birds. Clearly they had not given a lot of thought to this activity, but it didn’t take them long to realize that, for gulls, the dining room is always very close to the restroom. As I watched, I could see that they quickly learned why it is not a good idea to stand directly below a bunch of circling gulls and throw food to them.

The high number for ring-billed gulls reported in our vicinity was at Smith Mountain Lake, when a flock of about 2,000 was observed on Feb. 7, 1994. Within the city, the high count is 611 ring-billed gulls on the winter bird census taken on Dec. 17, 2005. Most of these birds were near the city landfill, a favorite foraging site of this species. Just about all metropolitan landfills near the coast support thousands of gulls. Only 100 hundred miles to the east of us, in Richmond, the sight of gulls soaring overhead is fairly common.

Often reports of large flocks in Lynchburg occur during stormy weather. From high overhead, the dark expanse of a wet parking lot is a welcome sight to the birds. They probably think that it is a body of water and come down in expectation of a meal. Frequently they are not disappointed, since fast-food outlets provide just the kind of junk food they relish.

Ring-billed gulls are by far the most common species found in our area, but we also have records for Bonaparte’s, laughing and herring. Although some of us may mistakenly refer to them as “seagulls,” this adaptable species is not necessarily associated with salt water. Inland reservoirs, rivers and yes, even parking lots, may temporarily attract these cosmopolitan birds.

News and notes

- The Lynchburg Bird Club will hold an evening woodcock walk on March 6. Meet at 6:20 p.m. at the Buffalo Creek Nature area, which is located on Va. 24, west of Evington. You will need to wear sturdy shoes as well as dark clothing. Bring both a flashlight and binoculars. This trip will be postponed if it is raining or very cold. Contact the field trip leader at (434) 298-7773 for more information.

Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at jtdalmas@juno.com.