Among the world's “seabirds”, gulls are the most accessible to humans, invading our most immediate surroundings. Gulls are sometimes perceived as second class avian creatures. This, along with the identification challenges they present and their readiness to hybridize, has created a love-hate relationship for many birders. Yet some gulls species are among the most coveted bird species on any birder's list (think Ross's Gull and Ivory Gull). This presents us with an interesting juxtaposition. Do we like some gulls and look past others? Amar Ayyash will take us through an entertaining and intriguing exploration of the natural history of gulls, including their thorny taxonomy, and he'll share some of their lesser-known adaptations and quirky behaviors.

  Amar coordinates the Annual Gull Frolic on Lake Michigan and is the author of the recently published The Gull Guide.

Location:  In-person 7:30 p.m. at Robert Crown Community Center