tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20592715.post-64518947400688351572008-05-20T16:33:00.000-07:002008-05-20T16:39:58.922-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">New Breeding Seabird on Southeast Farallon: </span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">the California Gull</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202607988376237554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1zIHPEuZ4Xw/SDNgZpzGdfI/AAAAAAAAAcI/lneLHWyxA_Q/s400/CAGU+on+nest.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><br />There is a new breeding seabird species on Southeast Farallon Island, bringing the total to 13! Though previously known to only breed on the mainland, often by lakes or brackish waters, a small group of California Gulls has begun to breed on the island. These gulls were seen in previous years on the island, roosting in intertidal areas, but appeared in greater numbers this year. After watching the California Gulls for weeks through a telescope (to minimize disturbance), their intent to breed was confirmed by the presence of eggs. We didn’t want to let the opportunity to study a new seabird species pass us by so we have already established a study plot with marked nests. We are very excited about beginning to study this species in its new breeding habitat.Los Faralloneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06826909037689543216noreply@blogger.com