LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- One of the most widespread and familiar gulls in North America, this gull can be distinguished by the black band on its yellow bill. It is very active in gathering food, will scavenge through debris and will steal food from other birds. This species has benefited by man’s alteration of habitat. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)