Highlights from my morning walk around Schoolhouse Pond included a pair of 
Common Mergansers (male and female).  Other waterfowl included 14 Northern 
Shovelers, a small number of Canada Geese, Mallards, and Trumpeter Swan 
#962.  The Swan has been absent more than it has been present in recent 
weeks.  Also present were 7 American Coots and 1 Pied-billed Grebe.

Raptors included 1 adult Bald Eagle and 1 Osprey.  There was one Wilson's 
Snipe on the mudflat next to the cattails.  I believe that this bird had been 
asleep on the edge of the mudflats when I arrived (curled up and motionless), 
before looking around briefly and beginning to forage on the mud.  At least one 
Killdeer was also on the mudflat.  Flyover gulls included small numbers of Ring-
billed and Herring Gulls.  I saw my first Laughing Gull of the spring last week on 
March 11 on one of the pilings of the fishing pier.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS