We decide to chase the Sabine's Gull at Conowingo this afternoon, after
reading Bob Ringler's post and getting an alert call from Paul O'Brien (who
needed it as a state bird).  I had seen one on a May 1976 pelagic trip off
of Ocean City (first state record), but I had not photographed it in MD and
the possibility of getting a few more rarity pics for my website was too
much to resist.

 

We got up to Conowingo around 1:30 pm and there were 20+ birders there, many
friends I had not seen in awhile.  No bird was to be had, but after an hour
or so, some folks reported it from the south end of the viewing area (by the
boat ramp).  Unfortunately the bird disappeared by the time the masses could
arrive, but a little while later we got a cell call from Paul Pisano that
they had relocated it on the rocks, just south of the big island.  Everyone
converged and we got good looks at a very, very distant gull, which at least
once was gracious enough to raise its wings to the sounds of ooohs and
aaahs.  POB gained one on me and Jim S. (who had seen the Sandy Point bird
in 76), but such is the listing game.  We've all had a good 2-year streak
here so no one would complain.

 

Given that at this distant my photos would be unrecognizable (and never one
to miss a trick), I saw two fishermen in the process getting ready to go out
and queried them about the potential of taking a couple of us out for an
afternoon river cruise.  With an exchange of some saw-bucks the plan was
set.  In a show of considerable graciousness (is other to be expected?), Jim
Stasz gave up his paid seat to Mike Burchett and Mike and I set out with a
couple local fishermen with high hopes.  Both the local kinda got into the
chase, so it was pretty cool.

 

The results were mixed, however, as we started to approach the rock where
the bird still sat, it flew off while still quite distant. I had this dream
of us drifting past it at 30 feet .   But, I did get 3-4 reasonable photos,
so the investment proved to be well worth it.  More to the crowd's liking,
the bird proceeded to flew quite close to the assembled mass of birders and
everyone got good views of it in flight.  The bird flew up river a little,
and then down river out of sight.  Debbie Terry says she's going to buy me a
drink next time the opportunity presents itself. :-) I think I'll take her
up on it!!  The only sad point was that Matt Hafner had yet to arrive, but
if I can help Jim Stasz get a Harford County bird over him, it's just a
chance I'll have to take!

 

Enjoy the photos at:

 

http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/67844101

 

 

Mark L Hoffman

Sykesville, MD