Watching the Ivory Gull in Cape May

Hi Everyone, I drove down to Cape May to see the Ivory Gull and he did not disappoint. I arrived at the Bree-Zee Lee Marina before 8 am and as soon as I got out of the car I saw a group of birders photographing him. Unfortunately I was on the opposite side from him but still managed a few shots as he was walking along the ground and feeding.

The reason this gull is so special and so many are flocking to see him is because he is SO far out of his normal range. Here is a page on them along with their range map.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ivory_Gull/id

I drove over to the other side of the marina for the rest of these pics. Taking off.

He is a beautiful little gull and very cooperative around people.

Another flight shot. There were some people with enormous lenses there. One gentleman had some beautiful prints of his gull shots.

Last one. I'm glad I made the trip, he is a good one to have. Hope you like them.

Very nice!

Wow, beautiful bird and seriously out of his range! Wonder how he strayed so far South? Will he eventually head back North and go home?

Thanks Victor.

Hi 3g's, I would think he will be heading home sometime soon so I'm glad I got the chance to see him.

Congratulations, pelle. You have become a real serious birder along with your photography. Once you start chasing down these rare sightings and willing to travel miles, you're definitely hooked. You got some great views and photos. Way to go !!!

Thanks Linth. I was glad I went, this is definitely a special bird.

Congratulations, Pelle! Nice shots. Glad you caught him, but no White Pelican?

No White Pelican :-)

Wtg Pelle! Congrats! Glad you went and he was there, and really nice shots too!! :)

Nice!

Out-of-range gulls often do very well for food, with lots of birders feeding them to get closer pics . . . so they often stick around quite a while

Resin

Liable to become the fattest gull in existence.

Thanks guys! The Marina closes on the 15th I think so the supply from the fishermen would end and the birders will be the only source.

I went to a few other places along w/ 2 other birders, they were looking for the Swainson's Hawk but we did not see him and there hasn't been any sightings of him so he may have left along with the Selasphorus Hummingbird. I'm sure that winter storm we had the other day was the deciding factor.

At the State Park we saw a female Eurasian Wigeon but the Orange-crowned Warbler eluded us. It was seen later that afternoon.

I'm so glad you were able to get down there to see the gull, Pelle. Lovely shots.