Laughing Gulls on Sable Island, October 29th
In late October 1968, 100s of these gulls were delivered to Sable Island by Hurricane Gladys. That storm also “dumped” 1000s of Laughing Gulls along mainland Nova Scotia shores (Tufts 1986). Many were believed to have died, but sightings of live birds suddenly decreased in early November, so it was assumed that many were able to reorient themselves and return south. Likewise on Sable Island after Hurricane Wilma, by November 11th only about 25 live individuals were seen, and few new corpses – suggesting that the gulls were leaving, rather than dying on the island.