This received today from experienced birder Dave Freeland -
"I saw an adult Sabine's Gull in immaculate alternate plumage at 12:30 p.m.
Monday, May 23, from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. I was en route from my
home on Merritt Island, FL, to our condo at Cape May, NJ.
I was driving north on the Bridge-Tunnel when the gull appeared just 50 feet
to the ocean side between mileposts 6 and 7, flying parallel to me at eye
level. I first noted the white, slightly forked tail from the bird's rear,
then
-- as I caught up with it -- the "three-triangle" wing pattern -- black wedge
toward the primaries, brownish-gray wedge closer to the body and forepart of
the wing and white wedge down the wing's trailing edge -- became clear. I was
driving 50 mph, and obviously observing the bird without optics, but noted the
dark hood as I passed its front end. There is no doubt that it was a
Sabine's, though I suspect they are seen regularly in this vicinity."
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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