The St. Mary's County (Maryland) Kelp Gull was present on its usual piling on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 9:15 a.m. when I went to the Sea Breeze Crab House, and was still there when I left 15 minutes later. Other birders have reported seeing the KEGU at various times throughout October.
    The KEGU showed some wear on the trailing edges of its feathers, but the mirror on P10 was clearly visible when it flew. Faint flecking was also visible on the back of its head. Its mantle was blacker than that of the Great Black-backs, its legs were still yellowish-green, orbital still bright red, iris still pale yellow, and its bill still had only a red gonys spot on it (no black, as the GBBGs showed). It didn't seem to mind the chilly drizzle, but I did, so I left it with about 100 Ring-billed Gulls, half a dozen Great Black-backed Gulls, and some Herring Gulls.

Jane Kostenko

California, Maryland