Gulls of North America: Fred Shaffer

Fred Shaffer developed his passion for gulls by sorting through the flocks of gulls at Schoolhouse Pond each fall and winter day during his lunch break in Upper Marlboro. He learned to appreciate the diversity and varied plumage of Maryland's gulls and subsequently has made trips across North America to view, photograph, and study gulls. This talk will highlight the many common and rare species to be seen in North America and include photos of rare gulls from the Pribilof Islands, Barrow, Alaska, Monterey, California, and Niagara Falls. He will also discuss some of the varied features and natural history that make gulls such a distinctive group of birds. Gulls are approachable, accessible, and numerous, making them ideal for close study and Fred's talk will highlight the challenges and rewards of observing the gulls of North America.
Fred Shaffer worked for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for over 30 years and became interested in gulls by observing the large flocks that gathered each day at Schoolhouse Pond just outside his office in Upper Marlboro. He enjoys observing gulls in all their diversity and plumages and has documented his gull observations from Schoolhouse Pond in Maryland Birdlife. He has studied gulls in their natural habitat across North America and photographed the many plumages of each species. He has served on the Maryland/DC Records Committee and his book "Gulls of North America" was released by Schiffer Publishing in March 2022. He is currently working on his second book about the birdlife of Schoolhouse Pond based upon his thirty years of observations and nature journaling.
(Presented on October 13, 2022.)