It has been relatively uneventful at Schoolhouse Pond recently, but this
morning I had a few nice surprises. Low in one of the scrub willows
adacent to the pond I had nice looks at a female Purple Finch. And, near
the cattails next to the boardwalk a Marsh Wren was visible.
Waterfowl that have returned and/or passed through recently include
Gadwall, Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal (a few weeks ago) and 2 Ruddy Ducks
(on Monday and Tuesday). And, an adult Bald Eagle has been seen overhead
at first light on most mornings the last few weeks.
Yesterday had the first relatively large group of Laughing Gulls on the
pond (approximately 300), with a few Ringers and Herring Gulls mixed in.
Hopefully there will be large groups of gulls to sort through at lunchtime
on most days from now and into the fall and winter.
Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS
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