Given that the slaty-backed gull is apparently as likely to be present in the morning as in the late afternoon, at which time is the light better for viewing it? Jack Miliff@aol.com wrote: > > Hello all, > > I spent another full day at Conwingo today and the Slaty-backed (gull shwoing > all the characters of Slaty-backed Gull if you prefer) is still there and its > schedule has thus far been regular and predictable. > > Today it was seen from very early (at or near first light) to 9:00 a.m. at > which point it got up and flew directly over the Dam and upriver (possibly on > to Pennsylvania). Between 8:00 and 9:00 it did do some flying around the > spillway and I was able to take several pictures which should be usable and > should show the wing pattern in flight. > > The bird reappeared again at 3:50 and lounged on the rocks (and flew around > again for some more photos) until I left at 5:30. A few others were still > there watching it. > > As far as I know, it's schedule has been: > > Saturday Feb. 6 - Found at 2:30 p.m. and watched until dusk, at which point it > flew off downriver, presumably to roost at Havre de Grace > > Sunday Feb. 7 - Seen early in the morning through about 9:00-9:30 (?), seen > again at close to 5:15 p.m. but only briefly. > > Monday Feb. 8 - Seen from dawn to 10:00 at which point it flew off upriver, > relocated at 4:15 and watched until 5:15 at which point it flew off downriver, > again. presumably to roost at Havre de Grace. > > Tuesday Feb. 9 - Seen from dawn until 9:00 at which point it flew upriver, > relocated at 3:50 and watched until at least 5:30. > > If you are coming from afar, plan on arriving at first light and putting in a > couple hours, or arriving in the evening. > > Other birds today: > > - one first-winter Thayer's Gull present off and on throughout the day > - one 3rd winter Iceland Gull present for most of day > - one 2nd winter California Gull - located flying around (by Rick Blom) at > about 10:00 and seen off and on for the rest of the day, mostly in flight > - just a couple adult and one 1st winter Lesser Black-backeds > - zero Bonparte's and zero Glaucous > > The birding continues to be great there...I will be back tomorrow morning and > plan to try to find out where it is going during the day. > > Best, > > Marshall Iliff > miliff@aol.com