Patty Craig and/or Kyle Rambo could answer this as well, but you'll need to hold off on your celebration for a while yet, Charlie. January is the gull's first sighting date, and Valentine's Day is its first "naming" date. It only *seems* like it's been here forever!!! Jane Jane Kostenko jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us California, MD -----Original Message----- From: Charlie Muise <cmmbirds@yahoo.com> To: mdosprey@ARI.Net <mdosprey@ARI.Net> Date: Saturday, October 16, 1999 4:11 PM Subject: Re: [MDOsprey] Kelp Gull, St. Mary's County, MD, 10/16/99, Update >Does any one know the first date Shrimpy was seen and >tentatively ID'd? It seems it's nearing an anniversary, >and I am always looking for a something to celebrate... > >Charlie > >--- Jane Kostenko <jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us> wrote: >> The Kelp Gull continues in St. Mary's County, >> Maryland, on the pilings >> behind the Sea Breeze Restaurant in the hamlet of >> Sandgates, Maryland, where >> it has been seen daily since my last posting of 10/10 >> (per visiting birders, >> my own sightings, and those of reliable restaurant >> staff). This marks at >> least the fourth week in a row to boast daily sightings, >> even on windy or >> rainy days (when it hunkers down and is harder to pick >> out). >> Today, Tyler and I (and visiting birders from CA, TX, >> NC, and VA!) were >> surprised to see that the Kelp Gull has, since two weeks >> ago, replaced >> several of its molted primaries, and now has apical spots >> once again (the >> all-black folded wingtips had made it rather easy to pick >> out prior to >> this). The flecking on the head hasn't gotten any darker, >> but is still as >> dark and as extensive as it was when first studied back >> in February (do I >> have a life?!) It never flew, but when it flapped, and >> with the wings >> folded, we didn't observe the wide trailing edge that it >> had in the spring. >> It was in company of about a dozen Great Black-backed >> Gulls, making for very >> nice comparisons in size, mantle color, etc. >> Directions to the gull are available; just send me a >> message. Hotels in >> the area are still benefitting from the gull's presence! >> >> 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. >> >> > > >===== >****************************** >Charlie Muise, Naturalist >Jug Bay Wetlands sanctuary >Next to the Beautiful Chesapeake Bay >Maryland, USA >cmmbirds@yahoo.com >****************************** >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com >