Re: St. Mary's County Kelp Gull (NOT SEEN) 3/1/99
Leslie Roslund (Lroslund@bluecrab.org)
Mon, 1 Mar 1999 21:53:48 -0500
So sorry to hear that the Kelp Gull was a no-show on 3/1. Perhaps it
will return - sure hope so.
But in case it does not return, I will take the time to describe a late
afternoon sighting of the bird, and its departure on 2/28. My wife and I
took the 2 and 1/2 hour drive from Easton to Sandgates in the rain Sunday
afternoon, arriving around 3:40. We watched the bird until nearly 4:00
p.m. Our last observation of it was atop the piling opposite the favored
feeding piling to the right of the Sea Breeze restaurant. It had been
working the surf, alone, in front of our car, and then had perched for
awhile on a piling on that feeding walkway about halfway to the end.
Another birder, from Alexandria, whose name I did not catch, arrived later
than us, stared at the distant Great-Black-backed gulls for awhile, then
came to our car, in the rain and asked which was the Kelp Gull. He was
surprised, but pleased to hear that the close bird was indeed the one of
special interest. While we were talking, the feisty Kelp Gull booted a
Herring Gull off the right side piling - sat there for awhile as if hoping
for a late afternoon snack - then lifted off and flew to the northwest,
disappearing behind the Sea Breeze.
Soon thereafter, we entered the Sea Breeze, signed the register, and took
a seat in the restaurant at the back, just beyond where Kurt Gaskill and
his party were seated. For the next hour, we, with others, ate, chatted
and watched Great-Black backs. From our window views there was no further
sign of the Kelp Gull.
Did anyone have a later sighting? If not, then we would claim that the
bird was last seen departing the feeding station and heading northwest in
the rain at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28th.
Les Roslund
Lroslund@bluecrab.org
Easton, MD