SLATY-BACKED AND OTHER GULLS AT CONOWINGO

rick (rblom@blazie.com)
Mon, 8 Feb 1999 06:00:58 -0500 

        The bird that appears to be an adult Slaty-backed Gull was seen by
more than 25 birders at Conowingo Dam, on Sunday, February 7. It was
visible both sitting and flying for parts of two hours in the morning. It
was not found again until nearly 4:30 p.m., perhaps because of persistent
sleet and freezing rain during the middle of the day. Most observers who
arrived early had decent looks at the bird and so far no one has proposed
an alternative identification.
        Also present were 5-10 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 3rd
winter California Gull, 2-3 Iceland Gulls (3rd winter and 1 adult), a 1st
winter Thayer's Gull, and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull. The Galucous Gull was
not found until late in the afternoon. In addition, a bird that was
probably a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen briefly, but the
observer was distracted by the Slaty-backed and the Lesser was not refound
(or looked for).
        The number of gulls at the dam is large. Considering the various
etimates, and my own guess, the most frequently agreed on figure is
20,000+, with several experienced counters favoring 25,000+. It is not
likely that every interesting bird has been seen.
        The Slaty-backed has spent much of its time the past two days on
the rocks near the base of the dam across from the parking lot. The best
views have come from the catwalk the traverses half the dam and is
accessible from the public area near the pavillion with the restrooms
(heated!). When the bird is feeding in the mass of gulls in the tail race
it is very difficult to find and stay on.
        The nine species of gulls seen yesterday (Herring, Ring-billed, and
Great Black-backed are the others) is one short of what I remember as the
one-day record at the dam, acheived twice. Under the circumstances there is
no reason to think that record is safe.

Rick

"A great many people now reading and writing would be better employed
keeping rabbits." Edith Sitwell


Rick Blom
rblom@blazie.com
4318 Cowan Place
Belcamp, Maryland 21017
(410)575-6086