Gulls in Tidal basin? (was More hawks on the Mall)

Jim Felley (IRMSS668@SIVM.SI.EDU)
Wed, 17 Dec 97 07:51:17 EST


The Tidal Basin and the Maine Ave. fish market are hosting Ring-billed
Gulls in abundance, as well as Herring Gulls and Greater Black-backed
Gulls.  Gulls tend to increase in these areas as the winter progresses,
with a peak in late February and early March, when the gizzard shad stage
their annual die-off (remember 2 years ago, when the die-off was late
and coincided with the blooming of the cherry blossoms?).
   If I see anything unusual, this list will be the first to know
about it.
                           Jim

                           Jim Felley
                           Smithsonian Institution

PS:  While I said 'annual', the die off is usually due to ice cover
on the Tidal Basin area, at a time when fish are needing more oxygen--
this is a common occurence in areas with ice, and is called "winter-kill."