Puzzling, Perplexing Gulls

Gull Identification Made  Easy Easier

Did I just see a Sea Gull? Nope, there is no such thing as a Sea Gull, but you probably saw a gull. New Mexico, although it is land locked, is a fantastic state for studying gulls. There have been 18 species of gulls documented in New Mexico, 10 of which are near annual; and with a species list as high as that, things can get confusing. When somebody say, “Oh look, here comes a flock of gulls” most birders will throw their binoculars and run screaming in the other direction. Learning to ID Gulls can be a hair-raising-feather-flying nightmare, leaving you frustrated and bewildered by the gulls that just flew the coop.

How about this one? If you can guess the age you’ll be ahead of the game! *Scroll to the bottom of the page for the answer!

Can you identify this one? If you can guess the age you’ll be ahead of the game!
*Scroll to the bottom of the page for the answer!

The Puzzling, Perplexing Gulls workshop will give you the tools to stop grasping at feathers and ID these wonderful birds correctly. Many birders wonder why some gulls appear to be all brown and mottled, while others are brownish-gray, and why some look “all white”, and why they can’t find a bird that looks similar in ANY field guide. This is because most gulls take many years to reach a full adult plumage and therefore are highly variable and can look very different from year to year; some take two years, some take three years, and many take four years to mature into adult plumage. Before tackling gull identification it is important to understand which species’ use which molt timing and which age class you are looking at. After you are able to sort out the molt and age of each bird, then you can take a stab at the species. Even the “experts” can’t identify every gull they see, but with a bit of know-how, a lot of practice and a little bit of luck you’ll be able to assign a species to nearly every bird. You may even find yourself running towards the flock of gulls instead of away!

After our classroom session and presentation we will take you to Elephant Butte Lake (the gull capital of New Mexico) to transform your new classroom information into practical field experience.  You will have the opportunity to compare similar species of gulls in-flight, on the water, in a flock and in single situations. Your guides will be on hand with scopes and books to help you ‘nail’ the ID.

 All information on this page regards our 2015 workshop which has already past. We plan to run a very similar trip in 2016, stay tuned for details.

 

20% of all profits donated to local nonprofit partners!

Now offering discounts for multiple workshop registrations. See “Pricing & Payments” tab for details

 

Friday January 30th, 2015

We will be gathering for dinner at 5:00 pm at O’Neill’s Pub on Central and Washington. After dinner, at 6:00 pm, we will move next door to Newton’s Cradle Office Space where the workshop presentation will be held. If you prefer to eat dinner on your own you are more than welcome to  just meet us at Newton’s Cradle at 6:00pm for the presentation.

 

Saturday, January 31th, 2015

Depart from Albuquerque at 6:30 am from the Nativo Lodge on San Mateo and I-25. We will be providing transportation in a van so you can catch a snooze on the way if you like. Please bring or have breakfast beforehand.

Please bring a sack lunch; we will take time to do lunch at Elephant Butte. The guides will have a cooler of water and a few snacks with them. Dinner will be on the way home; we will stop at the Socorro Springs Brewing Co. Here we will have the opportunity to relax, eat a nice meal and review the birds from the day.

Return to Albuquerque by 8:00 pm.

Although we will typically adhere to the above itinerary, the exact schedule of the tour is liable to change depending on local conditions and of course the birds!

Dress

Informal throughout. Multiple warm layers, along with warm gloves and hat, are a must for cold morning and boat trip. Sturdy footwear is recommended. We will have at least one scope with us but you are encouraged to bring your own as well.

 

Group Size

Maximum group size is 20 participants although we typically have less. We have 2 to 4 guides for this workshop depending on participation.

 

Tour Pace

Hiking is minimal, flat, and leisurely. We will mostly be standing from viewing areas close to the van. We will stay at each birding location discussing the birds for extended periods. We will be on a boat for a short period of time. The boat does not go very far and is easy to get on and off even for folks with  mobility issues. A leisurely lunch will be taken mid-day.

 

Food

Dinner will be taken at local restaurants. Vegetarian options are available. Will will provided some snacks and water, but you will need to bring a sack lunch with you.

 

Transportation

Our vehicle will depend on the group size often we are in a 15 passenger van. It is important that all participants be able to ride in any seat in the van.

Cost

 $125.00 (+ 7% tax)

This price includes the Friday evening class ($25) and the Saturday field workshop ($100).  All transportation from the departure point (Nativo Lodge), guide fees, snacks, and water are included. Meals and other expenses are not included in this price. We do offer the option to attend the lecture portion only for $25, please inquire if interested.

 

Discounts available for multi workshop registrations. Discount pricing is as follows.

2 Workshops – 5% discount – $237.50

3 Workshops – 10% discount – $337.50

4 Workshops – 15% discount – $425

5 Workshops – 20% discount – $500

If you are registering for multiple workshops please complete the registration form for one workshop and send us an email detailing which workshops you would like to participate on. We will then confirm your registration for all workshops and send you an invoice for full payment. 

 

Reservations & Confirmation

To reserve your spot for this workshop you will need to complete the following:

  • Complete the workshop registration form found under the “Registration” tab.
  • Complete payment on the “Payment Options” tab. Your spot will not be reserved until we receive full payment for the workshop.

(If you are registering for multiple workshops please complete the registration form for one workshop and send us an email detailing which workshops you would like to participate on. We will then confirm your registration for all workshops and send you an invoice for full payment.)

After completing your reservation we will contact you via email to confirm and provide you with additional information about your workshop. We will require you to complete the Liability Waiver (Click link to download the Liability Waiver) in person during the workshop class. Liability Wavier is required to participate in the workshop

In the case that you must cancel your reservation BRANT will allow a one-time transfer of payment to an upcoming workshop as long as the transfer takes place at least 1 week prior to the workshop date. Please contact us to discuss this option. If you do not wish to transfer payment to an upcoming workshop we will refund 50% of your payment up to 2 weeks prior to the workshop date. Within two weeks of the workshop date the entire payment amount is non-refundable.

Registration Form

Fill out the following form to register for the trip. (If you prefer a hard copy, you can print the registration form and return it to us via fax or mail. Workshop Registration Form - Click the link to download PDF)

Remember that your spot is not reserved until we have received your full payment for the workshop. For payment options click on the “Payment Options” tab above.

If you are registering for multiple workshops please complete the registration form for one workshop and send us an email detailing which workshops you would like to participate on. We will then confirm your registration for all workshops and send you an invoice for full payment. 

Puzzling Perplexing Gulls Registration From

Workshop Date

 

Contact & Travel Information

  • Please make sure to enter all information in full.
  • Primary Participant

  • Second Participant (Not Required)

 

Medical & Dietary Information

  • Please include any information that will help to to create the most safe and enjoyable experience possible.
  • Primary Participant

  • Second Participant (Not Required)

 

Emergency Contact

  • Please provide the name and contact information in case of emergencies while we are on tour. If this contact is the same for both participants you only need to enter it once.
  • Primary Participant

  • Second Participant (Not Required)

 

Non-Profit Partner

  • BRANT donates 20% of our profits from each workshop to a local non-profit to support environmental conservation, research and education. Please select which organization you would like us to support on your behalf.
 

Payment Method

  • Please indicate how you have submitted your deposit. Remember that your registration is not complete until you have submitted payment. To complete payment follow the instructions under the "Payments" tab at the top of this page.
 

How Did You Find BRANT?

  • Please indicated how you heard about us. You can select multiple answers if needed.
 

Notes

 

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Payment

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Checks should be made payable to “BRANT”  for the amount outlined below

Cost Tax Total
$125 $8.75 $133.75

7522 Edith Blvd. NE

Albuquerque, NM

87113

If you are registering for multiple workshops please complete the registration form for one workshop and send us an email detailing which workshops you would like to participate on. We will then confirm your registration for all workshops and send you an invoice for full payment. 

*Photo is of a 1st-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull