I was out at dawn to the lower Bluffs near Brimley Road.

In the boat launch parking lot, some people have the unfortunate habit of throwing their fast food litter about. It does, however, attract gulls who will happily eat almost anything.

Among these gulls was a Lesser Black-backed Gull:

Unlike the enormous Great Black-backed Gull, Lessers are just a little larger than a Ring-billed Gull. Common in Europe, they are rare but increasing in numbers in North America.

Other gulls in these photos are a juvenile Herring Gull (which is larger than a Ring-billed Gull and has pink legs):

Ring-bills:

Ring-bills and Herring Gulls show black wings tips. Another gull here today does not: an Iceland Gull:

For the next few weeks, ever larger numbers of birds will be in our area as migration reaches its peak.

During June Breeding Bird Surveys in Northern Ontario, I have sometimes been thrilled to hear as many as five White-throated Sparrows singing their “Dear sweet Canada Canada Canada” chants at the same time. This morning I heard at least a dozen singing at the same moment!

MYSTERY BIRD

At the end of the post, I will identify it.

Other birds:

MYSTERY BIRD

The well-named Black and White Warbler

MAILBOX

Hi Miles,

I have never seen brown wing feathers on a Hairy Woodpecker before.  Is this unusual?

Miles note: I have never seen this before.

NATURE POETRY

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment  

while I was hoeing in a village garden,  

and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance  

than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.       – William Wordsworth

Miles Hearn