Slaty-backed Gull in MD update
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Mon, 8 Feb 99 15:49:11 EST
Today we were more organized and made it up to Conowingo Dam by 8 am -- Pete
Webb and some others told us that they had been looking at the Slaty-backed
Gull until about 10 minutes before we arrived, sitting on a rock below the
dam. But then it had slipped into the water and swam upstream, disappearing
behind the wall. However, we all started scanning and in about 20 minutes
Pete relocated the gull, just barely visible above the wall, sitting on a
rock preening. After we repositioned scopes for a better angle we were able
to observe the bird for about 20 minutes as it preened. At one point it
half hopped-half flew to a higher position on the rock. I happened to have it
in the Questar at that moment and had a good view of the spread wings.
At about 8:45 it abruptly leaped into the air, and flew back over the dam,
so none of us really got any decent flight views. As of noon, when we had to
leave, it had not reappeared. On Sunday the pattern was similar, the bird not
being seen after 9:30 am. On Saturday it was first seen at about 4 pm, I
understand, by birders who had been there quite a while so there *may* be
the possibility that it roosts at the dam but spends most of the day elsewhere.
The current advice is -- get there as early as you can!
Other gulls seen include a first winter Thayer's, which provided many excellent
flight and perched views, two California Gulls (one 3rd winter, one 2nd W),
a 1st W. Glaucous, also not seen after 8 am, 2 3rd W Icelands, a number of
Lesser BB Gulls, and two darker mantled Herring Gulls which stood out amongst
the regular Herrings. Photos were taken so maybe these can be puzzled out.
I got quite good views of the Slaty-backed through the Questar and it looked
good to me (first to admit I am not expert on these critters, this is my first
one). The mantle color is about the same as a graellsii LBBG but perhaps a
bit "bluer" in the cold overcast light today. The tertial crescents are quite
prominent. The bird was doing a lot of preening and the row of white spots
dividing the black primary tips from the grey upperwing could be seen. The
underwing was quite pale, and once when it spread its wing at the right angle
I could count five distinct white spots in a subterminal row.
Right now no one has been close enough to get good photos, or when the bird's
been close no one has had a camera. So if anyone can get some definitive
photos it would really help the records committee.
We are leaving for a trip in two days so I am not sure if we will get another
look. Hope it stays around!
Gail Mackiernan
Silver Spring, MD
gail@umdd.umd.edu