The Ring-billed Gull is a fairly common breeder in very localized areas in the CW Region. Breeding habitat includes marshland islands, protected, urban grassy areas near water, and even large, flat roofs. Once absent as a nester in Illinois, the Ring-billed Gull has since established a number of large breeding colonies in the Chicago area that are increasing. Although this species is poorly sampled by the BCN Survey, trend estimates still show a notable yearly increase. Efforts have begun along the Chicago lakefront to control this specie's numbers and also study its patterns of vagrancy. Photo: © Eric Secker