North Beach Update: Shorebirds & Possible California Gull
Jlstasz@aol.com
Sat, 29 Aug 1998 21:29:44 EDT
Hi Folks!
Marshall and I finally got to look for shorebirds at North Beach just after
sunset:
the Black-necked Stilt departed just before Marshall arrived, Knots were knot
around, but there were 11 Stilt Sandpipers, 3 White-rumped Sandpipers, and 11
juv. Short-billed Dowitchers, many Semi, Western, and Least Sandpipers, 5
Pectorals, several Semi Plovers, and Killdeer. The water is low not only in
the marsh easily visible on the West side of the road, but in a pool visible
from the south end of the beach. In the pulloff area near the county line,
just walk south along the beach to some high Phragmites (where a small
catamaran was beached today) and look out over the mud to the south.
Most intriguing though was an adult gull far out on the Bay on fading light.
We both identified it as a _probable_ California Gull. About Herring Gull
sized, it had a heavily streaked head which lent a "hooded effect", something
neither of us have seen on Herring Gull at this season. The bill was
proportionately smaller than Herring, the head shape seemed right for
California, and the eye appeared dark (?). We watched it for about 3 minutes
before it flew off to the south - in the already faded daylight we couldn't
discern much of the wing pattern - though the bird appeared to be in molt.
There is only one large, regular gull roost nearby: on the jetties at Rod n'
Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach (about 2 miles to the south) - the
location is listed in Claudia's Book and is at the south end of Chesapeake
Beach, Bay side, just before Rte. 261 heads uphill. We will both be there at
first light - this is a potential first county record (and a state bird for
Marshall). Anyone is welcome to join - we will post any additional sightings.
Good birding!
Jim
jlstasz@aol.com
North Beach, MD