St. Mary's County, MD, Kelp Gull 2/19 afternoon update
Jane Kostenko (jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 18:04:08 -0500
The kelp gull was on display for all to see this afternoon. At lunch
time, there were around 16-20 birders, but by 3 p.m. when Tyler Bell and
I got there, it was down to just a handful (some were inside warming up
over cream of crab soup. Uuummm, cream of crab soup...)
The gull flew off over the landward side of the Sea Breeze,
disappearing for a short while. When it came back, it called (around 4:
20)--a low, coarse/hoarse, almost cawing croak of a sound. It was flying
around, looking for food at the time. (Both prior vocalizations have
come, I believe, while the bird was sitting.) After it regurgitated
shrimp casings (sorry, I should have suggested you stop eating), it
acted like it wanted food (the cook put out shrimp and oysters on the
half shell yesterday!) and made a full minute's worth of circling
calls. Tyler and I were the last ones left looking at it by 5 p.m. and
we were cold and hungry (uuummm, shrimp casings...), so we bid the bird
farewell.
Freezing temps and light snow and/or freezing rain overnight. Be
careful driving here in the morning! Dress warmly.
Jane Kostenko
jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us
California, MD
301-862-4623 (home)