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Re: Blk Bk Gulls, predators



I've seen video of a GBBG taking a puffin in flight.

Cheers,
Gary

Gary Phillips
Conway, SC
 Zone 8
axis1@sccoast.net
'"Oh frabjous day! Callooh, Callay!' he chortled in his joy." (Carroll)
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg <cbirdpro@ix.netcom.com>
To: carolinabirds <carolinabirds@acpub.duke.edu>
Date: Friday, November 17, 2000 9:32 AM
Subject: Blk Bk Gulls, predators


>On more then one occassion I've seen these large gulls eating waterfowl,
>where presumably the prey was fresh and not carrion.  Three occassions come
>to mind vividly.  All were in the winter, two on a nearly frozen pond (90+%
>covered) the other on a salt marsh.  One was a Mallard, one a Coot, the
last
>a Black Duck.
>
>The first 2 (on separate days at the same pond) were on the ice of the
>frozen pond and were still steaming when I arrived.   I am only assuming
>that the gull killed the birds, don't know for sure.  The third was a kill
>in progress when I arrived.  I took a series of photos of the event.  I
have
>know way of knowing if the duck, or ducks, were weak to begin with due to
>the cold weather, illness... that the gull merely took advantage of that
>fact.  However, the assault on the black duck did not appear to be a
passing
>thought.  It appeared as though it was deliberate, and it was relentless.
>In fact the gull began to eat while the duck was still struggling to
escape.
>I don't know if the duck was unable to fly before that attack began because
>I arrived while it was in progress.  The duck seemed unable to fly farther
>than a few yards by that time I arrived on the scene.
>
> Has anyone else witnessed Great Black-backed Gulls preying on other birds.
>
>--
>Greg Dodge
>Durham, NC
>http://www.brownbagproductions.com
>