Hi Folks!

I do not think there is any question about the origin of Silver Gulls in the area.  Some time before Marshall reported the one from Upper Marlboro there had been a major east coast storm.  As I recall a large aviary in the New York City area collapsed and many Silver Gulls and Inca Terns escaped.  Shortly after both species were see along the New Jersey Coast.  Silver Gull is quite common in captivity and they are usually kept in aviaries where they can fly about.

From a website I found:  "Having read reports on Bird Chat about the sightings of a Silver Gull, I drove to Pennsville, New Jersey on November 10, 1996 and proceeded to Riverview Beach Park. As promised, the gull was easily found and most cooperative - it allowed a close approach."

and from a Nov. 1996 post: "Metrozoo's, in turn, came from the Bronx Zoo, which has none now. However, my contact thought he recalled that Bronx lost some when their birdhouse collapsed from snow a winter or two ago"



Good Birding!

Jim

Jim Stasz
North Beach MD