Beach Bird EncountersSan Diego, California

Familiar faces along the shoreline

Gulls

Family Laridae

Jonathan, Uno, and the other gulls have helped transform an ordinary morning walk into a daily reunion with a familiar bird family.

Read their story
Jonathan the gull standing on the rocks at the South Mission Beach jetty with his wings open
Jonathan at the jetty, where this remarkable story began

Bird profile

Adaptable coastal birds with distinct personalities

Common name
Gull, often informally called a seagull
Family
Laridae
Habitat
Beaches, bays, jetties, harbors, and coastal neighborhoods
Known for
Intelligence, adaptability, strong flight, and individual behavior
Familiar birds
Jonathan, Uno, and several regular morning visitors
Our meeting place
Mission Beach and the South Mission Beach jetty

Where it began

“Jonathan was one of the first gulls to make my morning walk feel personal.”

I met Jonathan near the beginning of these bird encounters at the South Mission Beach jetty. Over time, what first felt like a chance meeting became part of a larger relationship with the gulls who recognize the routine and return to the same stretch of shoreline.

Uno, my one-legged gull, has been part of the mornings for several years. He manages remarkably well despite his handicap, although he has stumbled between the jetty rocks on two occasions and needed to be rescued. I always make a point of finding him and making sure he is fed.

Each gull approaches in its own way. Some remain cautious, some wait nearby, and others arrive with complete confidence. Learning their differences has become one of the pleasures of returning every morning.

Two unforgettable regulars

Their stories are very different, but both birds represent the recognition, resilience, and familiarity that make these encounters so meaningful.

Jonathan the gull standing with his wings open on the jetty rocks
Jonathan, photographed near the beginning of my beach bird encounters.
Uno, a one-legged gull, standing steadily on the beach in warm morning light
Uno, resilient and resourceful, remains one of the regulars I always look for.

What makes them special

01

They recognize routines

Regular gulls learn where and when the morning encounters take place.

02

They are individuals

Each bird has its own level of confidence, strategy, and personality.

03

They are resilient

Uno’s ability to thrive on one leg is a daily lesson in determination.

More stories to come

Every familiar gull adds another chapter.

This profile will continue to grow with more photographs, individual names, and the stories that unfold along the beach and among the jetty rocks.

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