I made a trip to Fort Howard and Back River ( southeastern Baltimore County)
today.

Fort Howard had a fly-by Loon (probably Red-throated)
1 Horned Grebe; Scaup ( both species seen), 2 Goldeneye;
2 Bald Eagles (1 third year, one second year)

Back River: I arrived around 11:30 a.m., and Dan Eberly of Bethesda was
already there.
So were 175-200 Bonaparte's Gulls. The search was on for the Little Gull.
After perhaps 1 hour of scanning, no Bird, but we were still unfazed. The
problem was that
with a stiff Northwest wind the Bonies were positioned away from the wind at
the furthest
shore all the way across the River (some 250-350 yards away). The wind
watered out eyes
and discouraged the gulls from, lifting off, and when the clouds covered the
sun,
we could barely pick up the birds bobbing on the water. Also, our timing was
not
perfect as low tide was not until 3:30 pm, and the heavy rains must have
raised the water levels.
Still we were undaunted. 

Then out of nowhere, Dan spotted the Little Gull! Dark wings showing from
underneath.
It landed and then with the wind and distance against us, we were unable to
pick out the Little Gull on the water among the many Bonies.

For another two hours we looked and looked. As the tide grew lower and lower
the number of Bonaparte's Gull rose to about 300. We viewed each Bonaparte's
Gull
that dared to lift off, but alas we never did see the Little Gull again.

Am I discouraged? Never! As Kenn Kaufman says, "To learn the rare birds,
you start by really becoming familiar with the common ones." I have never
looked
at so many Bonaparte's Gulls scanning ( amoung other field marks) the white
flashes on the upper wing
and checking the under wing for all dark ( as in adult winter plumage Little
Gull) or 
dark inner primaries (as in Black-headed Gull). Let me tell you all,
if I ever spot a Little Gull at 400 yards, I'll ID it in an instant.


			Good Birding!



				Taylor McLean
				Towson, MD
				Baltimore County
				
				410-377-2153