Hi all --

As Paul posted, we first found the second summer Franklin's Gull on the Hain's Point golf course in late morning, but it flew off. We then did a careful circle around the point, in the pouring rain, looking at all the pools on the very flooded course, and finally relocated the bird resting with other gulls north of the clubhouse, where there is a large (temporary?) lake. Had good scope views from the road along Washington Channel, also went into the golf course clubhouse area and walked around to the end of the driving range building where it was sheltered from the rain. However the bird could not be seen from that vantage point. It was somewhat mobile, flying about a bit, but if the rain continues and the golf course remains closed, it might stick around.

As best we could determine (allowing for distance and rain) a second summer bird with a completely gray mantle, a dark half-hood and reduced white on primaries compared to a full adult. It was the only "hooded" gull present among the Ring-bills, plus a scattering of Herring and immature Greater Black-backs, and three Caspian terns.

Lots of shorebirds on the many pools, we counted about 20 Lesser and three Greater yellowlegs, about 25 Solitary, 15 Spotted and 8 Least Sandpipers. One Common Loon on the river. Also three Bobolinks on the grass, one a brilliant male, and another flock of about 25 flying and calling.  Only a few other passerine migrants: several Yellowthroats, heard Yellow Warbler and Redstart, Warbling Vireo and Baltimore Oriole. Purple Martins are back at their nest boxes.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Paul Pisano <>
> I just got a call from Gail Mackiernan, she & Barry Cooper found a 1st
> summer FRANKLIN'S GULL at the Hains Pt. Golf Course today (Friday, 5/9).
> They first saw the bird around noon as they were driving down the beginning
> of the loop road, but then lost it.  They relocated the bird later this
> afternoon in the large rain pool at the north end of the golf course.  This
> pool is probably best viewed from Buckeye Dr.  Park in the tennis court lot
> on the north side of this road, and cross the street for best viewing.  A
> scope is probably required.
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