Sure thing. Here is my eBird report for today's fly-by.

Soon after watching two Peregrines over the bay fend off an immature
Bald Eagle, I noticed this smaller, dark-backed gull with a full dark
hood darting up the bay. The conditions (sun, overcast, lack of wind)
made it easy to study this small gull as it flew North up the Bay. I
had it in my scope for well over a minute (possibly two), eventually
losing sight of it to the North (heading in the direction of the mouth
of the Patapsco River). White outline on the back of the wings clearly
evident, with a light under-wing, full black half-hood, petite looking
with a quick flight pattern. I even got a decent enough view of the
cute face / small bill.

Unfortunately, the bird was not loafing around the park with the
Ring-billed Gulls, and it did not return for a photo op.

That said, the BARN SWALLOW that Fred found and reported was putting
on a great show today.  Simply amazing.  I would walk in the grass at
the Northern tip of the point, and the bird would literally swoop to
feed at my feet to feed.  I suppose I was kicking up little insects
for it to eat.  I took hundreds of photos, of which only a few came
out... but what a wonderful way to spend the morning.

Happy New Year all,

Dan Haas
St. Margaret's, MD


On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 7:24 PM, Dave Powell <> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> On Ebird today, Dan Haas found a Franklin's Gull at Sandy Point State Park. For those folks interested in chasing, the park is closed on Friday the 30th for a Service Reduction Day. Park should be open again on Saturday.
>
> Dan, can you provide more details on the Franklins Gull, as many people including myself have never seen one in Maryland and want to chase your great find.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave
> 
> Germantown, MD
>
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