I spent a big chunk of today searching through the flocks of gulls at Back River, making two extended stops at the MD 150 bridge, two at Diamond Point, and one at Cox Point Park.  There were big numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls throughout the day at each location, but lamentably I didn't turn up any Little Gulls despite searching every perched and flying gull I could find.  Still, there were over at least 600 or 700 Bonaparte's Gulls collectively along the river at the three locations, as well as smaller numbers of Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls.

Perhaps the highlight of the other birds seen included one early Barn Swallow and one Northern Rough-winged Swallow.  The Barn Swallow was viewed over Back River (near the marina) from the boat launch at Cox Point Park.  The Northern Rough-winged Swallow was seen near the MD 150 bridge.  Also present were two immature Bald Eagles (Diamond Point), one flyover Common Merganser (MD 150 bridge), and lots of Double-crested Cormorants and Tree Swallows (at all three stops).  Perhaps the best views that I had of the Bonaparte's Gulls were at Cox Point Park where I viewed a close group of 83 on one of the piers at the nearby marina (near where the Barn Swallow turned up).  I had hoped to kayak the river today as well, but the wind was just too strong for me to go out in my small kayak.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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