Late this morning I found an adult Franklin's Gull flying over Tydings Island in Havre de Grace.  It did a few loops over the flats, and nearly landed on a piling in the marina, then gained altitude and I lost it.  About 20 minutes later, the bird flew past me again and did a few circles, but settled down on the flats with other gulls and terns.  Many of the birds flushed and I lost the Franklin's, but found it a few minutes later flying around in front of me and was able to take a few photos and a video.  The bird eventually settled down on a hydrilla mat just off the marina boat launch.  There were about 30 Ring-bills, 2 Laughings, and the Franklin's on the mat.  I ran into Russ Kovach and Matt Anthony and was able to get both of them on the bird as well.  Around 11:45, it flew off towards the flats, but we lost it and never refound it before we left at 12:15.  High tide is at 3:35pm today, but I don't think it will be that low and the hydrilla mat will still be there even at high tide.  I think there is a good chance the bird could be around this afternoon/evening.  


While I was there, it was the only gull with a full black hood.  All the Laughings were either juveniles, or hoodless.  


Here is a youtube link with some video I took of the gull:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KABQ_IaC6uo


Good birding,


Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD




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