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Subject:

Franklin's and Glaucous Gulls at Salisbury Landfill

From:

Bill Hubick

Reply-To:

Bill Hubick

Date:

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 16:36:51 -0800

Hi Everyone,

The weekend highlight for George Jett and me was a 1st winter FRANKLIN'S
GULL at the Salisbury landfill, which we found through an odd sort of
teamwork. I arrived at the landfill around 2 p.m. yesterday (12/10), and
began working through the gulls. I picked out three LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS, then came across a nice 1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL. Hello. I dialed
George Jett to tell him I had a prospective photo-year bird for him, and
he said he was on his way. While he was en route the bird flushed several
times, but each time I relocated it. Until just before George got there,
of course, when it disappeared. 

As we tried to relocate the Glaucous, I was telling George how none of the
Laughing Gulls we saw last week were still around. And then I spotted one.
I pointed it out to George and let him look in the scope while I continued
trying to find him the Glaucous. Last weekend, Jim Brighton and John
Hubbell each had a glimpse at a bird that made them think Franklin's, but
we spent a long time afterwards checking out each Laughing Gull that
landed. I dismissed the gull as a straggler from the group we'd inspected
last week. I didn't start to overcome my mental block until George said,
"Start shooting," and we discussed the various fieldmarks. It was a
diminutive bird with nice hood and a small, straight, thinner bill. It had
well-defined white in the secondaries from its wings' white trailing edge,
and its breast and nape were fairly clean white. We got decent
documentation photos of the bird, and I'll post mine tonight or tomorrow
morning. At dinner, various post-pelagic attendees took one look at the
photos and were in agreement.

I would have had someone post about the bird earlier, but we didn't think
the landfill would be open today. We learned that it was, and several of
us looked for the gulls without success. The gull numbers were just a
fraction of those present yesterday, though, almost certainly because
there wasn't much activity (tasty new trash). With the possible sighting
by Jim and John last week, it seems conceivable this bird has been around
(and/or will stick around) for a while. Good luck if you chase!

I must say - I like calling someone to come see a bird, then having them
find an even better one. It was well worth the cost of George's dinner
last night. :)

Other birds of interest over the weekend:

Saturday, 9/10

Ocean City Inlet (Worcester Co.):
Very low tide brought the shorebirds in close (fun photos)
Brant--30+
Long-tailed Ducks--5
Red-throated Loon--1
Am. Oystercatchers--5
Purple Sandpipers--20+ 

Eagle's Landing Golf Course (Worcester Co.):
Eurasian Wigeon--2 drakes

Eagle's Nest Campground (Worcester Co.):
Brant--200+
Western Willet--1

Assateague Bayside (Worcester Co.):
Mute Swan--1 (on the bay)
Brant--300+
Fox Sparrows--5

Salisbury Landfill (Wicomico Co.):
Commer Merganser--1 hen

Sunday, 9/11 - With Jim Brighton, Matt Hafner, Hans Holbrook, and British
friend Martin (didn't catch last name)

Truitt's Landing (Worcester Co.)
Long-billed Dowitcher--1
Sedge Wren--1

Irish Grove (Somerset Co.):
Wilson's Snipe--1
Brown-headed Nuthatch--1
Brown Creeper--1
Winter Wrens--2

Vessey's Orchard (Somerset Co.):
Gadwall--20+
Wood Ducks--3
Great Egret--1
Palm Warblers--5 (at least 1 Yellow)

I'll have the photos posted as soon as possible.
(<http://www.billhubick.com/>)

Have a great week!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Elkridge, MD

<http://www.billhubick.com>