Kelp Gull update, 2/19/99
smcage1 (smcage1@mail.ameritel.net)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:13:19 EST
The St. Mary's County, MD, KELP GULL was seen at first
light this morning, Friday, February 19, 1999, much to
the relief of Thursday's late-afternoon birders who
didn't get to see it after it departed around 3 p.m.
The Kelp Gull is keeping company with as many as four
Great Black-backed Gulls this morning, and was doing
its usual morning routine of flying between the two
restaurant peirs and chasing Herring Gulls.
In morning light, the Kelp Gull's legs are much more
yellowish than at other times of the day; also in the
early morning light, the black of the mantle is
noticeably lighter than the primaries. In Thursday's
rainy, subdued light, the mantle appeared nearly as
black as the primaries.
Rumor has it that the DC CBS news channel 9 will be
here filming birders and The Bird. BTW, the restuarants
open at 11 a.m., so bring french fries from home if
you arrive early!
Jane Kostenko
California, MD
smcage1@mail.ameritel.net (work)
jkostenko@somd.lib.md.us (home)
301-862-4623 (home)