unusual gulls and the MD/DCRC
S. Harvey Mudd, MD (shm@codon.nih.gov)
Tue, 09 Mar 1999 11:02:48 -0500
Given the interest in the rare gulls that are visiting Maryland this winter,
some Ospreyers and others may be wondering how the Maryland/District of
Columbia Records Committee (MD/DCRC) has treated, or will treat, the
possible Slaty-backed Gull seen at Conowingo, or the possible Kelp Gull in
St. Mary's County. In a word, for MD/DCRC those questions remain open. The
committee has as yet received no formal reports on these birds. We look
forward very much to being sent photographs and/or written descriptions by
as many observers as are willing to do so. With the permission of those
making them, postings to MDOsprey, or other web sites, may be a part of the
input. When the information has been gathered, but not before, MD/DCRC will
do its best, with the help of published material and, perhaps, the advice of
outside experts, to do what it is charged by MOS with doing: come to a group
opinion whether the identifications are sufficiently compelling to merit
addition of these birds to the Maryland State List. In the interim, members
of MD/DCRC of course will seek to inform themselves about the ID issues
involved; and they will strive to keep their minds open until they have
chances to review and discuss as much relevant data as can be mustered.
Until then, any impression that MD/DCRC has come to conclusions would not be
correct. So, please do send in your photographs and descriptions. They
will be valuable. Thank you in advance.
Harvey Mudd,
Chair MD/DCRC
____________________________________
S. Harvey Mudd
NIMH/DIRP/LMB
Building 36, Room 1B-08
36 CONVENT DR MSC 4034
BETHESDA MD 20892-4034
tel: 301-496-0681; fax 301-402-0245
email: shm@codon.nih.gov