I went up for the second time to look for the gull.  The first time, last Thursday, I went pretty late and got there about 4 pm.  There were no gulls at all in sight--the place looked so bare of birds it was hard to imagine they were ever there.  At least, I found out it's easy to get to, and that I like the Baltimore beltway better than the DC one.  Today, arriving about 11am, I was encouraged by seeing a gull circling overhead as soon as I approached the mall, and as soon as I got to Best Buy, there was the whole flock - had to be 20 at least - right in the middle of the lanes approaching the store.  No sign of the Black-headed at first, even when I rolled down a window and the whole flock flew right over to me.  I decided to move the whole operation over a lane or two, after I watched the traffic pattern a little, and sure enough, as soon as I tossed out one crumb of bread, they all moved right after me, AND the Black headed gull appeared on the far side of the flock. Success!  

It never got bold enough to come into the middle of the flock, but when I tossed a couple of small pieces toward the back of the car, and the rest went for them, it came closer--thankfully, further out of the main lane of traffic.  I was able to pull up toward it a little, and while I didn't try to get super close, not wanted to bother it,  it was plenty close for a good look, and picture.  Yea!

It was too scarey to watch the cars going thru the gulls for too long, tho I must say that most people slowed down, and seemed pretty cheerful about the gulls, and even a couple that headed right into them at normal speed seemed not to be trying to hit them, but just confident that they would move, which they did.  I have some sympathy for the drivers who go to Best Buy a lot, because if you go slow, the gulls act just like a cat--walking very slowly right in front of your car where you can't even see if they have gotten far enough to the side.  I had to get and and wave at them, in order to leave safely.  Seemed like both the gulls and some drivers are playing chicken with each other.  (It's a perfect set-up for a few smart alecks to speed up and think it's funny.)  I tried not to feed them too much--didn't want to create a public nuisance!  I have a feeling there have been folks feeding these gulls before birders showed up, tho, or else why would the flock be hanging around Best Buy?

I wore my bins into Panera to get lunch, and told them what I was doing--one of the clerks was interested and hadn't heard about the gull, the other got a big grin, and said he did know.  Looks like several of us have been in there to show them the gull is good for business!  The coffee and sandwich I got were excellent--nice place!

Patricia Wood
Silver Spring

############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1