Record # 211712

A first-cycle Franklin's Gull at the Ocean City Inlet, Maryland (11/29/2009). It was a Worcester Co. bird for Mark Hoffman, which says a lot about the species' rarity in the county. It appears to be the third record for the county after 2/8/1986 (Rick Blom, pelagic) and 10/11/1991 (Michael O'Brien, O.C. Inlet). Thanks to Bob Ringler for maintaining and sharing these records. Notice the tiny bill, delicate structure, cute appearance, distinctive partial hood, short wings, and clean white underwings with black in the primaries.

A first-cycle Franklin's Gull at the Ocean City Inlet, Maryland (11/29/2009).

A first-cycle Franklin's Gull at the Ocean City Inlet, Maryland (11/29/2009).

A first-cycle Franklin's Gull at the Ocean City Inlet, Maryland (11/29/2009).

Franklin's Gull at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester County, Maryland (11/29/2009).