Sitka Nature

Last week I noticed a gull cached in the bank of the flume. In the days since, I have managed to stop by there a couple of times to check on it, and until yesterday it hadn’t looked much different to me. Yesterday, there was much less of the gull in evidence, with only a wingtip and a few scattered feathers visible from above. I am assuming the gull has mostly been consumed at this point.

Connor noticed there was a hole above the bank beside the trail that appeared to be active and likely connected to the where the gull was stashed. I didn’t check carefully, but I think the hole was probably only 2-3 inches in diameter, a size that makes me think a mink is most likely who is working on the gull.

While walking near the flume a couple of days ago, I noticed something white along the bank. From a distance I couldn’t tell what it was, the only thing that crossed my mind was some sort of plastic packing material, but I decided to take a closer look.

As I approached my eyes and brain tried to make sense of what I was seeing before it finally clicked; it was the wing and body of a Glaucous-winged Gull that had been partially pulled up under the bank. Given the size of the bank opening, my best guess is that a mink got a hold of the bird and pulled it up in there, but there is also a chance that an otter could have done it. I didn’t pull the bird out to take a look at it, but will probably go check on it over the next few days.