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Subject:

Least Terns at Schoolhouse Pond!

From:

Fred Shaffer

Reply-To:

Fred Shaffer

Date:

Thu, 5 Jul 2007 08:02:00 -0400

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