Sorry for the delay in posting. This has been a busy week. Anyway, I was present on 12/27 $ 12/28 when the questionable gull was seen by several Ospreyers. I have little experience with both species (especially Thayer's), and am handicapped with both scope and long camera lens in the repair shop. A friend was kind enough to loan me a scope so I was able to take a few hand-held digiscopes of the gull which on the 27th we were calling Thayer's based on the size and color, although the color did seem a bit pale for Thayer's. The bird stayed pretty far out in the flock on the 27th. However, when I returned on Tuesday, it was much closer and I got better shots. While the primaries are not as dark brown as is shown in Sibley, they do show the pale edging. Also the "anchor-shaped" scapular markings seem to be present (communication from Gail Mackiernan who asked me to post my photos) thus leaning toward Thayer's. Note the pale base of the bill also. However the overall paleness and bill size leans toward first winter Kumlein's as well as the patterned tertials.

I'm making these pictures available to the list for discussion as to the proper ID of this gull. And I'm putting the new Olsen gull book on my wishlist!

Here's the link: http://nestbox.com/gull.htm

I've had no luck finding the Mew Gull despite three trips and many quarters in the parking meters!

Arlene Ripley
Calvert County, MD
piwa AT comcast DOT net
http://nestbox.com