During my morning walk around Schoolhouse Pond, I was able to relocate the 
Cackling Goose that was first reported over the weekend.  It was at the rear 
of the pond with the hundreds of Canada Geese that typically spend the night 
at the pond.  

During lunch, I sorted through the gulls and highlights included:

1 Laughing Gull
1 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull
3 Great Black-backed Gull (2 adults & 1 1st winter)
And approximately 150 Herring and Ring-billed Gulls each.

I didn't notice the Cackling Goose at lunch, but large numbers of the geese 
dispersed during the morning.  After speaking with Jim Stasz, he noted that 
Laughing Gulls are extremely rare in Maryland during the month of January, and 
are probably missing from most birders "January" lists.  Undoubtedly, the 
continued mild weather enticed the Laugher to remain in the area.  I've had 
small numbers of Laughing Gulls daily during the end of December.

Fred Shaffer

Patuxent MOS