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Subject:

Conowingo Sabine's Gull

From:

"Eugene J. Scarpulla"

Reply-To:

Eugene J. Scarpulla

Date:

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 20:00:02 -0400

The "new" assembled mass of birders that collected at Conowingo after the 
Sabine's Gull flew down river around 3PM were not disappointed.  (They also 
endured the 1/2-hour rain shower.)  The Sabine's Gull returned up river 
around 3:45PM, flew to the dam and landed in the tailwater catching a fish 
(photos taken by George, the eagle watcher).  It then flew back downstream 
of Roland Island (the big island) and landed on an emergent rock were it 
rested for about an hour.  It then took flight heading up towards the dam, 
circled around a few times there and then headed past the assembled mass at 
the south parking lot, eventually disappearing out of view down river around 
5:25PM.  (The whole sequence from the rock to the dam and down river was 
photographed by Bill Hubick.)

This makes the 17th gull species that has been observed at Conowingo.  The 
list includes: Laughing, Franklin's, Little, Black-headed, Bonaparte's, 
Common (Mew), Ring-billed, California, Herring, Thayer's, Iceland, Lesser 
Black-backed, Slaty-backed, Glaucous, Great Black-backed, Sabine's, and 
Black-legged Kittiwake.  I have been fortunate enough to have seen all of 
these species there.  Unfortunately my fellow Conowingo gull fanatic, Rick 
Blom, is no longer with us to have seen this one.  I am sure that Les 
Eastman would share my sentiments, wishing --- "Rick, this one's for you!"

Gene

Gene Scarpulla
Millers Island, Maryland