I am going to retract my call of this bird being a Lesser Blacked Back Gull. Clive H. and I have been having some great discussions over this bird. I agree with many of his points on the bird.
Please feel free to send me what you think too.
Many Thanks.
Sean
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sean McCandless 
  To:  
  Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 7:10 PM
  Subject: First winter Lesser Blackbacked Gull Photo


  Hi all. When Parke and I went to Assateague Island last Saturday for the Snowy Owl, we stopped in at the inlet in Ocean City. There were tons of boats all around which I am sure didn't help the bird numbers there. We did have a few Long-tailed Ducks, some mixed flocks of Surf and Black Scoters, about 15 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The Lesser's were resting in the Parking area right next to all the cars. They were sitting with a couple of first winter Herring Gulls and some Ring billed Gulls. I didn't think to take any comparison shots.

  Follow the link.
  http://www.smbirdphotos.com/index.cgi?do=view_photos&subcatID=88

  Also, just incase you missed the photos to the Snowy Owl here they are again.
  http://www.smbirdphotos.com/index.cgi?do=view_photos&subcatID=141

  Sean McCandless
  Cecil  Bird Club President
  Elkton, MD