Field Notes Dony Bell July 25, 1988 But since the causeway was put in its become freshwater. Anyway, they have neat data on the birds. John is Ted Miller's good student. The causeway will be turn out to allow the marsh to revert to salt water. Will be interesting to see how the sandpipers do. I called Chris Manns, who had contacted Michael Brown of Canadian Fisheries. Michael is down in Port Clements. We drove down there, found out Michael's telephone no, and called. He agreed to take me out to the islands in Massett Inlet for gulls - and no charge, since he said he has to patrol anyway. So we agreed to meet at the dock at 15:00. Michael is a big fellow - beard, thick glasses. We headed out into the inlet - thick overcast red clouds looming in the horizon. I collected the first three gulls we saw - 2 / one shot off a log near Sloop Islet (412, 413). Sloop Islet is a small rock - no gulls resting now - but it had a few earlier this spring. Then we went further up the inlet. One gull near Mc Creight Island (414), then three at mouth of Yakoun River, seen but they stayed out of range. Shot one at Ross Island (415). Then 3 at Cowley Rocks (416 - 418), where there were about 25 gulls hanging out. Cowley Rock even had a couple very spacious - thick brush. Could not see any gull chicks. Chris Manns said about 50 gulls nest in the inlet total. Rained pretty hard by the time we got back. In all six shots for 7 gulls. Spent night with Michael, interesting place. 2 gulls / 1 shot Total: 6 shots/7 gulls