Hi all --

Barry and I checked out Back River this morning for interesting gulls --
just before the heavy rain hit -- We estimated only about 350 Bonaparte's
Gulls so there has been a big exodus since our last visit. Undoubtedly the
warm weekend hastened their departure (note the large number reported from
Gravelly Point on the Potomac over the weekend). There may well be more
incoming, however, based on previous years' experience. Most of the Bonies
are still in winter plumage, a few showing full hoods -- there were also
more immatures in the mix.

Also seen at Diamond Point were three Laughing Gulls (FOY for us) and 2-3
Caspian Terns. No apparent Little Gulls although they might have been hidden
from view as most of the birds were hunched down in the rain.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD