Finally!  After some unsuccessfull attempts to find Cackling Geese in 
the Blue Mash area,  I came across 4 birds at Lake Whetstone this 
afternoon.  Went over there to tick off my 2005 Mute Swan and there must 
been 1000+ Canadian Geese on the lake.  Best thing was that the 
Cacklings were only 20 feet off the shoreline leaving no doubt about 
their smaller size.  It was also interesting to watch them stick 
together as a single unit within the much larger mass of geese on the 
lake. 

Also, out on the island were 2 Black-crowned Night Herons (1 juv. and 1 
adult) and 3 Great Blue Herons. 

Good birding,

Andy Martin
Gaithersburg