[MDOsprey] St. Mary's County, MD Kelp Gull (YES) Update, 9/26/99

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    This update is for the week of September 19-26, 1999: The St. Mary's
County, MD, Kelp Gull continues at the Sea Breeze Restaurant pilings in
Sandgates, MD, daily, staying around longer each day.
    The Kelp Gull is in heavy molt, having lost several primaries and shows
heavy wear on the rest of its feathers. However, its legs are still
greenish-yellow (or yellowish-green, depending on the light), its single
mirror on the outermost primary is still very visible and distinct from the
ever-increasing Great Black-backed Gulls, and the Kelp Gull's eyes are still
clear, straw yellow with bright orange orbitals. The head may be starting to
show faint flecking on the top, but the flecks are so pale, they may have
been light coming through ruffled feathers. And it's mantle is still as dark
as (and often darker than) the GBBGs, while still being the size of Herring
Gulls.
    Feel free to email me for directions and more recent reports of
sightings, as I will post weekly (weakly?) updates.

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.

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