I went to Jug Bay in Prince George's County this afternoon.  On my way out
to the observation platform in the Black Walnut Creek Nature Area, I bumped
into a birder who said that a surf scoter was spotted in Jug Bay from the
Anne Arundel County side.  I set up my scope from the platform and scanned
the water.  Numerous of the common gulls were present, as well as some
Forsters Terns.  Some Ruddy Ducks were also seen along the far shore, and
some Yellowlegs were feeding on a narrow mudflat.

After some scanning, I found the Surf Scoter on the water about 2/3rds
across the river.  It was an adult female duck, and was swimming about
slowly and resting.  Also of note was a lone Snowy Egret on the near shore,
as well as several Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets.  A juvenile Northern
Harrier flew over the marsh.

Larger numbers of gulls have started showing up at Schoolhouse Pond.  About
700 Laughing Gulls were present yesterday, and about 450 today.  A few Ring-
billed Gulls and Herring Gulls have also been present, but nothing more
unusual so far.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS