Ring-billed Gulls are winter birds in District of Columbia: the first arrive in early July, they are common by the second week of August, peak in late December (55% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of April.
When to look
First arrivalsJul 1-7early July
Common byAug 8-14the second week of August
PeakDec 22-31late December
Most gone byApr 8-14the second week of April
Best: late December. First arrivals early July; most are gone by the second week of April. Peak: on about 55% of District of Columbia checklists.
Janpeak season
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprcommon
Mayuncommon
Junrare
Juluncommon
Auguncommon
Sepuncommon
Octcommon
Novpeak season
Decpeak season
Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.
Share of complete checklists reporting it, by week (4 per month). Grey bars: fewer than 10 checklists, not counted.
Frequency is the share of complete checklists in District of Columbia that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
today
0%few checklistsno data
Each county is shaded by the share of complete checklists there that listed the bird, blended with the weeks either side. Darker is more often. It follows where people watch birds, not how many birds there are. How to read it.
McMillan ReservoirDistrict of Columbia County, best early February · 31 checklists that week, 790 in all98%
Anacostia Fitness CenterDistrict of Columbia County, best the second week of January · 22 checklists that week, 395 in all97%
Georgetown ReservoirDistrict of Columbia County, best late December · 92 checklists that week, 1,495 in all95%
Jefferson Recreation CenterDistrict of Columbia County, best mid December · 21 checklists that week, 338 in all94%
Goose IslandDistrict of Columbia County, best late August · 31 checklists that week, 403 in all93%
Busy spots report more of everything; compare the checklist counts before you drive anywhere.
Best time of day
In District of Columbia, the Ring-billed Gull is most often listed on checklists started between 11 am and 1 pm (30% of those checklists).
Share of checklists started in each local hour that reported it. It reflects when people go birding as well as when birds are active. Grey hours have too few checklists (under 2% of the state’s, or under 200) to judge.Week-by-week table
Month
Days 1-7
8-14
15-21
22-end
January
56%
50%
52%
51%
February
53%
48%
44%
50%
March
46%
44%
38%
33%
April
26%
22%
18%
14%
May
11%
8.2%
6.7%
4.0%
June
2.4%
1.8%
1.1%
2.4%
July
3.8%
5.9%
8.7%
13%
August
17%
20%
19%
15%
September
16%
15%
10%
17%
October
17%
20%
17%
23%
November
29%
38%
41%
47%
December
52%
56%
56%
54%
Neighboring states
Maryland: arrives late June, 1 week earlier than District of Columbia
Virginia: arrives early July, in the same week than District of Columbia
Delaware: arrives late October, 15 weeks later than District of Columbia
Pennsylvania: arrives early July, in the same week than District of Columbia
Common questions
When do Ring-billed Gulls arrive in District of Columbia?
Ring-billed Gulls are winter birds in District of Columbia: the first arrive in early July, they are common by the second week of August, peak in late December (55% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of April.
When do Ring-billed Gulls leave District of Columbia?
Most Ring-billed Gulls have left District of Columbia by the second week of April, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late May.
When is the best time to see a Ring-billed Gull in District of Columbia?
The Ring-billed Gull is reported most often in late December, on about 55% of District of Columbia checklists.
Where in District of Columbia are Ring-billed Gulls seen most often?
By county, District of Columbia County have the highest peak reporting rates for the Ring-billed Gull (counties with at least 200 checklists).
