I chased after some of the great birds that have been found on the eastern shore recently and was one for two.  My first stop was at Blackwater NWR where I checked for the previously reported Hudsonian Godwits at Pool 5c.  Dave Brenneman and Winger West were also there, as well as one of the godwits.  We got great views of this bird.  Several other birders dropped by and got great looks as well.  It was feeding in the water and along the near mudflats very close to the small one way road that connects the driving tour with Wallace Key Drive.  The bird was easily visible from the road and we had prolonged unobstructed views.  Dave got some wonderful photos.  Also present was one Long-billed Dowitcher, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a few Black-bellied Plovers, and a flock of Dunlin.  If you have any questions about finding the bird, check in the visitor's center.  They were very helpful and knew right where I should go. 

Next, I went to the Salisbury Landfill.  I was there for about 2 or 2.5 hours.  I was soon joined by Dave Brenneman and Winger West.  There were tremendous numbers of gulls present, but unfortunately we were unable to locate the California Gull.  I did see 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (3 adults, 1 3rd year, and 1 1st winter).  The numbers of Laughing Gulls was impressive, but I could find no Franklin's Gulls either.   In spite of not seeing the California Gull, it was great having the huge numbers of gulls to sort through.  I should point out that the California Gull was reported in the morning before I arrived, but I defer to the observer about posting any details or additional information about the sighting.  Thank you to all the people who have posted about these great finds over the last few days.  It was definitely worth the chase.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS