Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 14:30:04 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Jane Kostenko Subject: Kelp Gull (I'm on digest mode, so I apologize if someone has already responded to the group with this information. Jane Kostenko jane.kostenko@co.saint- marys.md.us) Tyler Bell and I saw the Kelp Gull on July 7. It was not present when a visiting birder from New Mexico spent 20 hours at the Sea Breeze last week (Wednesday, July 24, from 7 a.m., through some time late Thursday, July 25). A staff person at the Sea Breeze told the birder that the gull had been there the whole day the day before. Here are directions from the DC area: DC: about 1.5 hours from the Mall Take Route 5 off the Beltway south toward Waldorf. Roughly twelve miles and before Waldorf, turn left on Route 381 for Brandywine. Follow this good country road until it terminates at Route 231 at a "T" in Patuxent "City". Turn right on 231 for two miles until it rejoins Route 5 at Hughsville. Then turn left (south) on Rt. 5. When Rt. 5 turns to the right, stay straight on Rt. 235 then turn left on Rt. 472 which is Sandgates Rd. Drive for about 2 miles until you see 2 crabhouses on the left. Park at the Sea Breeze and scan the pilings behind the restaurant. The bird sometimes flies to the left to the piers beyond the Sandgates Restaurant.