This small gull is a regular migration visitor to area lakes in the fall and winter, usually after November, after it no longer has its characteristic black head (breeding plumage). The lack of large bodies of water in the park limit the likelihood of sighting this species in the park, but it is likely a regular visitor to Fontana Lake and the other reservoirs along the southwestern boundary of the park.

In Park: A single bird was observed at the Cades Cove sewage treatment lagoons in late April, 1971, and a small flock was observed on Chilhowee Lake in summer plumage at the end of March, 1975.

References:

Gough, G. A., Sauer, J. R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.