[MDOsprey] St. Mary's County, MD, Kelp Gull (Yes) Update 10/12/99

Jane Kostenko (jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us)
Tue, 12 Oct 1999 06:46:00 -0400 

    The St. Mary's County, Maryland, Kelp Gull has continued its daily
appearances on the pilings behind the Sea Breeze Restaurant in Sandgates,
Maryland, from October 4-11, per reports from reliable restaurant staffers
and birders.
    Visiting birders on 10/11 noted that the Kelp Gull was not there first
thing in the morning, showing up instead around 9:30 a.m. and staying for
hours thereafter.
    The number of Great Black-backed Gulls can still cause confusion
(especially if the Kelp Gull isn't there for size comparison). With time to
study GBBGs, who ever knew that they, too, have a dark red orbital and legs
of such variable color? However, the Kelp Gull's legs are (regardless of
light) unlike any of the other dark-backed gulls; the Kelp Gull's legs are
greenish-yellow or yellowish green, but never fleshy or peachy. And the
GBBGs have a dark, muddy iris, whereas the Kelp Gull's iris is a clear,
bright yellow, surrounded by a fluorescent orange/red orbital. Though there
is some size variation within the group of GBBGs assembled on the piers (and
they just never line up the way they need to when you're scanning down the
line), they are all basically the same size, whereas the Kelp Gull is truly
the size of a Herring Gull. That is a significant size difference, even when
the various birds are all turned in different directions and posed in
different postures. Less easy to see is the single white thumbnail-size
"mirror" on the outermost wingtip of the KEGU; even with feather wear, that
is still visible when it is preening or flying; the GBBGs still have two and
show much more white in the wingtips.
    Birders are still coming from all over to see the gull and these weekly
updates would not be possible without their email input and occasional phone
calls to me. Thanks to all for their sightings!

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.