Yesterday’s weather system brought meager rains and a half-hour of wet snow flurries with its trailing edge. As the arctic airs continue to spill into our neighborhoods and countryside, last remnants of said snow linger into afternoon hours.
Why then, with biting breezes and gelid Jordan Lake waters do overwintering Ring-billed Gulls prefer to congregate in wind-sheltered open water and shallows?
It’s not just for predator-free roosting and safety. This curious behavior also happens to be the most energy-efficient way to rest, because of unique biological designs and adaptations to manage the cold. Their leg blood vessels use a specialized, countercurrent heat exchange system that keeps their core warm. And, since the feet have little muscle and nerve tissue, they are resistant to freezing damage…a miraculous design.
© Ilija Lukić 2026
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