Conowingo Dam, MD Common Gull, 1/3/98 update
BELL@say.acnatsci.org
Sat, 3 Jan 1998 16:27:32 -0500 (EST)
Folks:
This morning, 1/3/98, Kyle Rambo relocated the
COMMON GULL, in first winter plumage, at the south
end of the parking lot at Conowingo Dam in Harford
County, MD. He first saw the bird around 7:30 a.m.
before there was any power being generated. When
they started generation, the myriad gulls flew
up toward the dam face and began feeding. Jane
Kostenko (my wife) and I arrived at 7:40 a.m. and
saw the bird before it flew. Harvey Mudd and his wife,
and Sherman Suter and a friend arrived after it flew
and we all migrated toward the viewing area near the
dam face. The COMMON GULL, was the only immature
bird there and was feeding with the Ring-billed Gulls.
At about 9:00 a.m., several first winter Ring-bills
arrived and the Common Gull disappeared.
Around 11:00 a.m. we relocated the Common Gull flying
at the dam face feeding on the far side this time and
not providing great viewing compared to the earlier
feeding location nearer the viewing area. We left
shortly after the bird was relocated so we can't
give any more info on times.
The bird was quite distinct from first winter Ring-
billed Gulls in the
that the rump was immaculately white with a nicely
confined sub-terminal black band ringed by white
outer rectrices and a thin white terminal band. The
head was rounder with a more petite bill and a more
vertical forehead. The flight was faster than a Ring-
bill.
Good Birding!
Tyler Bell and Jane Kostenko
bell@acnatsci.org and jkostenko@osprey.smcm.edu
California, MD