Two Least Terns were at Schoolhouse Pond this morning. The beginning part
of my walk was relatively uneventful, but when I came out of the woods
during my walk around the pond, I spotted two Least Terns flying rapidly,
almost swallow-like over the pond. They made a few passes over the fishing
pier and appeared to be chased by a blackbird and perhaps a few swallows.
When the birds made a closer pass in my direction, the yellow bill and black
outer primaries were obvious. The birds flew in a rapid and erratic manner
over the pond for a minute or two, then went higher, over the County
Administration Building and town of Upper Marlboro, and towards the south.
They were not present when I went inside.
Other birds at the pond included Trumpeter Swan #962, 5 Great Blue Herons,
Wood Ducks, singing Indigo Buntings, Common Yellowthroats, a calling Yellow-
billed Cuckoo, and other nesters. The Least Terns were #214 for my
Schoolhouse Pond list.
Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS
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