While checking Back River unsuccessfully for Little Gulls this afternoon Bill Ellis and I saw a Seaside Sparrow in the little marsh on Diamond Point Road.  It was in stunning breeding plumage and was very cooperative as we scoped it from close range.
    It was high tide on the river and the mudflat was very small.  Gull totals were 135 Bonaparte's, 190 Ring-billed, 1 Herring, and 4 Great Black-backed.  We waited patiently for the adult Bald Eagle sitting across the river to get up and flush the gulls to give us a better chance of finding a Little Gull.  It finally did, three times.  On each occasion all the Ring-bills took to the air but the Bonies stayed put.  No help there.
    We spent most of the morning at Fort Smallwood where a crowd had gathered to watch hawks.  They were flying high today.  You will see the final report later I am sure.  There were lots of Common Loons on the move also, and the trees were full of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg, Md


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