<.l 



M J J A S O N 



month 



1=0.1-1.0 1=1.1-10 H =11-21 



MEAN NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED PER HOUR 



X = ZONE NOT SAMPLED IN THIS MONTH 



Figure 23. Seasonal abundance and seaward distribution patterns of the great 

 black-backed gull in the northern Chesapeake Bight, 1971-1977. 



LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL ( Larus fuscus ) 



Stat us. --Rare fall and winter visitant, October through April, over the 

 Continental Shelf. 



Records.— 1 ad 92 km E Ocean City (38°19'N, 74°02'W), 19 October 1974; 1 

 imm, 141 km ENE Ocean City (38°26'N, 74°31'W), 5 February 1977; 1 ad, 98 km 

 ESE Ocean City (38°06'N, 74°00'W), 30 April 1977. 



Remarks . --A11 sightings were in areas where concentrations of other gulls 

 were observed. 



HERRING GULL ( Larus arqentatus ) 



Status . --Abundant over Continental Shelf, seaward of the 30 fathom con- 

 tour in winter from October through early May. Uncommon during summer over 

 coastal waters within 20 km of shore; breeds along the coastal Delmarva Penin- 

 sula (Fig. 24). 



Maximum counts .— A count of 21, 868 in 9.5 h (20,000 gathered around 

 fishing vessels, 75 and 90 km ESE Ocean City), 3 December 1977; 3,700 in 6 h, 

 120 km E Ocean City, and 140 km E Cape May, New Jersey, mostly around fishing 

 vessels along the edge of the Continental Shelf, 5 February 1977; 1,214 in 

 4.5 h, mostly 96-119 km ESE Ocean City, 7 March 1976; 3,625 in 11 h, 15-75 km 

 ESE Ocean City where numerous flocks of 50 to 2,000 gathered over schools of 

 Boston mackerel and fin whales, 27 April 11974; 400 gathered over 30-40 fin 

 whales, 87 km ESE Ocean City (38°15'N, 74°07'W), 8 May 1977. 



33 



