Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 15:04:45 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Gail Mackiernan Subject: Little Gull @Back River Hi all -- Yes, there is still at least one LITTLE GULL at Back River. We had an adult bird flying around with Bonies (actually, the LIGU was doing all the flying, the Bonies were mostly roosting on the water) about 10 am this morning. Tide was high and the Bonies were pretty far out, above the Eastern Blvd. bridge in the channel. There were about 300 there and perhaps another 100 below the bridge; however, there were over 700 within the Back River WWTP itself so Bonaparte's Gull numbers are still good. Also about 10 Laughing Gulls inside the plant. I would guess that as long as Bonaparte's Gulls are around, there is a good chance for Little Gull. When the tide is low enough to expose mud, then Diamond Pt. seems to be the place. If the flats are covered, then the gulls are primarily out on the river (either above or below the bridge) or in the sewage plant. However, we have only had one Little Gull inside the plant this year, they seem to prefer the river. Now when the wram weather really gets here expect the gulls to leave en masse. Other birds of interest included flocks of swifts -- our first for the year -- and thousands of swallows of at least three species. Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Colesville, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================