There is a rather odd-looking gull at Greenbelt Lake this morning.  It
is about the same size, or perhaps a little larger, than the
Ring-billed Gulls - but it seems to be keeping its distance from the
ringers.  The bill, legs, and feet all look typical for an adult
Ring-billed.  The iris is pale yellow with a reddish outer ring.
However, the gull is quite dark overall, and it appears to be gray
rather than brown.  The breast and underparts are a medium gray, while
the wings are a darker uniform (not mottled) gray color - reminding me
of a Heerman's Gull, actually.  When the whole flock rose up, in
response to a passing Bald Eagle, it was very easy to pick out this
bird.  In flight, I did not notice a white rump with a dark terminal
band - but I had my old binoculars with me at that point (the ones I
use when walking the dog), so I had to go home and come back with the
good bins and the scope.

I thought I'd report this bird in case anyone in the neighborhood was
looking for an excuse to go stand in the cold and look at gulls.  The
gull flock is on the edge of the ice near the dam.  In fact, the odd
gull was the closest one to the dam, near the end by Buddy Attick
Park.

Elaine Hendricks
Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)