Birding Dude: Gulling at Floyd Bennett Field Brooklyn NYC

1Cy Lesser Black-backed Gull about to take flight.

I have learned that dire weather can bring good things. I am speaking of course about birds; specifically Gulls, those maddening Laridae types that you either love or hate. The problem for someone like me in Queens, is where to look for Gulls when we have bad weather. Unlike our cousins in Brooklyn, we in Queens have little options save for the Rockaways, Fort Tilden, Riis Park and Breezy Point. There are other sites of course where the usual suspects like Ring-billed Gulls, show up and in good numbers but when we are talking about the percentages for a good return in Queens, then your money is better off betting on hitting the jackpot working the coastal sites.

4Cy Type Lesser Black-backed Gull looking quite spiffy.

As a result, I have found Brooklyn to be better for Gulling, with plenty of options including Floyd Bennett Field. A favored spot to check for Gulls whenever we get hit with a storm. Yesterday, I took a chance in thunderstorm and rain to do some birding. If I had the time, I would have fared better later in the afternoon (as later reports from other birders suggested) when the rain subsided and the light was better. Nevertheless, I can't complain too much for the return in investment of 20-25 minutes of my time, during which I managed 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Iceland Gull (Kumlieni). Not bad for a quick bit of birding.