[MDOsprey] St. Mary's County, MD Kelp Gull (YES) Update 8/2/99
Jane Kostenko (jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us)
Mon, 2 Aug 1999 17:35:54 -0400
The St. Mary's County, MD, Kelp Gull made another appearance on Sunday,
August 1, 199, from 9:15-9:35 a.m.
Despite vigilance on the parts of several visiting birders (two who had
flown in from Kentucky, two visiting from New Jersey, and one who flew in
from Minneapolis), the gull was not seen on Friday or Saturday, and was
missed by all but the Minnesotan on Sunday. I retract my previously-stated
belief that the kelp gull may be present more often than I'm reporting
(because of its unpredictable appearances, I haven't been going daily to
check on it, and had foolishly thought that it was probably actually there
regularly and just not being seen by busy restaurant staff); given the hours
these folks accumulated and didn't see it, I won't even hazard a guess on
its schedule!
I also have to caution birders about calling the Sea Breeze for updates.
While the folks there have been terrific, and several of the staff are very
knowledgeable about the gull, many of the summer help are not reliable
sources. Tyler called 7/31 and was told the bird was at the restaurant
Saturday morning, but we learned from the above-referenced birders that it
was not; only a GBBG was present. And I called Sunday afternoon and was told
the gull hadn't been seen in a week, even though I'd seen it on 7/29 and the
MN birder had used their phone to call me that very morning! In short, if
you do call the restaurant, understand that their information is not always
accurate; they're very busy feeding people and don't always have time to
worry about our bird!
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.