The St. Mary's County, MD Kelp Gull was present at first light this morning, Monday, February 22, 1999, when I arrived around 6:35 a.m. The bird was on the pilings behind the Sea Breeze Restaurant for about 5 minutes before joining the bulk of the other gulls present in flying back and forth between the Sandgates Inn and the Sea Breeze. Due to the high winds, the Kelp Gull didn't stay anywhere long and didn't land on the pilings as it flew back and forth. Below zero wind chills kept me in the car most of the time. Conditions on the pier are dangerous due to ice formed by the splashing waves. The Kelp Gull has been present daily since first identified on Sunday, February 14, 1999. It has been seen from dawn to dusk every day except Thursday, February 18 when it flew off at 3 p.m. If you need directions, please feel free to email me. Or you can check on Jack Siler's Birding on the Web under Daily Mail, MDOsprey. http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/~siler/MDOS.html Jane Kostenko jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us California, Maryland 301-862-4623 (home) Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it the PRESENT.