In a message dated 4/16/2005 7:46:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
 writes:

It was a  male in breeding plumage.  Very bright yellow bill, rich gray on 
neck;  white in tail (which it pumped frequently).




Hi Frank,
 I'm curious as to how you decided this bird was a male? Field guides  don't 
really differentiate between the sexes in this species, though after  
observing a pair in close proximity some years ago (and watching them  copulate!) I 
could tell male from female, and in later talking with Greg Kearns,  he seems to 
think there are a few differences. 
 
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD