Hi Folks Larry Flynn and I took a quick trip to the islands looking for Barnacle Gulls. The wind was strong out of the southwest (15 mph) and not favorable for the mission, but it was the day we had available. There were a lot of white caps out there so we stayed close to the islands and didn't get to the deep water where most of the scoters have been staying. We did get to see some gulls feeding on barnacle larvae. They were off Saugatuck Shores Westport with the wind and wave pushing the plume to the east at the mouth of the Saugatuck River. We were in the area around 1:30 and the flock was still growing. We estimated about 700 birds, half and half Ring-billed and Herrings. The Ring-billed Gulls were from the mainland while the Herring Gulls were flying in from the islands as we watched. We tried to get some video but the water was too rough to hold the camera steady. Dennis Varza Norwalk, Norwalk Islands, 11:15 to 2:00 with Larry Flynn. Travel was mostly close to the inner islands due the west winds. Brant 300 Canada Goose 4 American Wigeon 12 American Black Duck 200 Mallard 10 Lesser Scaup 2 Greater Scaup 800 Long-tailed Duck 250 White-winged Scoter 3 We were unable to go out to the deep water where the scoters have been staying this winter Bufflehead 28 Common Goldeneye 72 Red-breasted Merganser 32 Osprey 1 The bird was two weeks ahead of the expected date Red-throated Loon 2 Horned Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 1 American Coot 1 American Oystercatcher 1 The bird was two weeks ahead of the expected date Ring-billed Gull 3 Herring Gull 750 Great Black-backed Gull 80 Fish Crow 15