Remarks . --Herring gulls constituted 66.6% of the total offshore avifauna 

 from November through March. On the one-day charter trips, continual chumming 

 attracted large numbers. The flocks increased gradually and reached maximum 

 numbers as we approached the edge of the Continental Shelf. Herring gulls 

 followed the boat as long as the chum was being dispensed. Most summer birds 

 observed were immatures. 



(/) 



<D 



S O N D 



month 



I =0.1-1.0 1=1.1-10 ■ =11-100 IB =101-2000 



MEAN NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED PER HOUR 



X = ZONE NOT SAMPLED IN THIS MONTH 



Figure 24. Seasonal abundance and seaward distribution patterns of the herring 

 gull in the northern Chesapeake Bight, 1971-1977. 



THAYER'S GULL ( Larus t hayeri ) 



Status . --Probably rare winter visitant most likely to be found where 

 large numbers of herring gulls are gathered. 



Records .--! 

 (photographs in 

 City (38°19'N, 75°05'W), 



imm, 33 km SE Ocean City (38°08'N, 74°48'W), 5 February 1977 



Scott 1977). I photographed another imm on shore at Ocean 



8 February 1976. These are the first documented 



records for Maryland and the Chesapeake Bight. 



R emarks . --The Thayer's gull has only recently been accorded species 

 status (A.O.U. 1973). The range of variation in plumages of immature Thayer's, 

 Iceland, and herring gulls makes field identification near impossible. In- 

 creased numbers of Thayer's gulls reported along the east coast in recent 

 years probably reflects an increased familiarity with the species associated 

 with species status recognition, rather than a southward expansion 

 winter range. 



of its 



34 



