I got close views of a 1st spring Black-crowned Night Heron during my morning 
walk around Schoolhouse Pond.  The bird was perched on a log along the edge 
of the pond about 30 feet from the boardwalk.  It was on the lefthand side of 
the pond (when looking from Governor Oden Bowie Drive).  Other birds present 
included a singing Orchard Oriole, singing Scarlet Tanager (near the utility cut 
at the rear of the pond), singing Yellow-throated Vireo, several singing Indigo 
Buntings, and a Common Yellowthroat.  The Trumpeter Swan (#962) was 
feeding along the edge of the pond, and a female Wood Duck was in the 
vegetation at the rear of the pond. 

Last week, I finally found where the pair of Eastern Bluebirds are nesting.  I 
saw the female come out of a small nest cavity in a dead tree near the rear 
observation platform.  A pair of Bluebirds have been in the vicinity of the 
observation platform and this perch all spring.  Also near the platform is an 
active Gnatcatcher nest with fledglings.  

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS