With harsher weather predicted it seemed wise to try for the
Western Kingbird this morning, even though it was a holiday, and the bird
did cooperate.  It was perched on the security fence to the right of the big
processing tanks near the entrance to the ponds, so I got good looks without
entering the restricted regions.  (No one was there today to provide
permission to enter.)  The bird  was in the company of six Bluebirds, and
was very easy to spot.  The viewing time was very close to noon.

 

          Since I did not go onto the dikes, the only things I saw in the
ponds were what could be viewed from Ennals Road  - mainly 93 Tundra Swan.

 

          On my way back to Easton around 12:45 I used Rte 16 and noticed a
fine flock of gulls in the field to the right prior to reaching the now
closed landfill.  I pulled over to the side to examine the gulls and lucked
out again.  First treat was a Lesser Black-backed Gull amongst a small group
that had come a bit closer to Rte 16 for a drink in a tiny pond.  Then, many
of the distant gulls flew up and circled about before settling again. But
all did not settle, just the main group consisting of about 40 Great Black
Backs, 600 Herrings and 600 Ring-bills.  One lone gull decided to come over
to the small shallow pond closest to Rte 16, circle that a few times, and
then settle in at a position about as close to my parked truck as it could
get.  It made me wonder if I should have brought some food.  This bird was a
Kumlien's Gull in quite pale plumage.  A nice treat indeed!

 

          Earlier in the morning a stop at the Choptank Marina yielded views
of 100 Great Black Backs, 600 Herrings and 400 Ring-bills, but I could not
locate anything more special.  It was pretty windy at that site.

 

Les Roslund

Talbot Bird Club

Easton, MD


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