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Subject:

Franklin's Gull, Bonie at Schoolhouse Pond

From:

Fred Shaffer

Reply-To:

Fred Shaffer

Date:

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 13:28:57 -0500

I had another fairly sizeable group of Laughing Gulls to sort through and today I found a few unusual species.  The highlight by far was a 1st fall Franklin's Gull, which I found on my third (and final) sort through the flock.  The bird was on the water with the hundreds of Laughing Gulls, but very distinctive owing to full black half-hood which contrasted very strongly with the white nape.  None of the Laughing Gulls approached the head pattern of this bird.  It also had the gray mantle contrasting with the brownish wing coverts.  I also saw the bird in flight and the more compact shape was also obvious in comparison to the Laughers.  The bird also perched briefly on a wood duck box.  As far as I know, it has not left, but the gulls were moving around quite a bit as usual.  When I last saw it, the Franklin's was perched on the mudflats at the rear of the pond with some Laughing Gulls.  Also of note was a 1st fall Bonaparte's Gull.  Totals included:

685 Laughing Gulls
10 Herring Gulls
12 Ring-billed Gulls
1 Bonaparte's Gull
1 Franklin's Gull

A great day at the pond!  I quickly used this bird as supporting evidence to the folks in the office who wonder why I look at the gulls everyday during lunch, although I don't know if I convinced anybody to change their lunch plans.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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