The St. Mary's County, MD Kelp Gull was NOT present at first light this morning, Tuesday, March 9, 1999, when I arrived around 6:30 a.m until I left at 7:05 a.m. I called the Sea Breeze on 3/8 around 4 p.m. and they said there was a group of birders watching the gull then. The numbers of other gulls is down this morning compared to normal. Maybe they can sense a change in the weather due to the impending storm? I will be checking again around lunch time. The Kelp Gull has been present daily since first identified on Sunday, February 14, through Sunday, February 28, 1999. It was absent all day Monday, March 1, but was relocated Tuesday, March 2, at 3 p.m. It had been seen from dawn to dusk every day except Thursday, February 18 when it flew off at 3 p.m. and Sunday, February 28 when it flew off at 4 p.m. It was present from dawn until the late afternoon thunderstorm on Wednesday, March 3. It was present all day March 4 through 8. The folks at the Sea Breeze Restaurant have offered to give updates. You may call them at 301-373-5217. If you need directions, please feel free to email me but please check the BirdChat archive site first at: http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9902d&L=birdchat&O=T&P=6521 Jane Kostenko jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us California, Maryland Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it the PRESENT.