I had a 1st winter Iceland Gull at Schoolhouse Pond this morning a little before 10.  The bird was on the ice with some Ring-billed and Herring Gulls near some open water.  There was a group of a few hundred Ring-billed and Herring Gulls near the center of the pond on the ice as well.  I found the Iceland Gull as I walked back from a meeting at one of our Lakeside Offices which are located around Schoolhouse Pond from the County Administration Building (I've learned to always have my bins with me when making the trip).

Unfortunately, as I walked back into the building, all the gulls were flushed up at the passing of a Red-tailed Hawk.  Hopefully some will return prior to my lunchtime walk.  But, passing eagles and hawks have kept gull numbers down on many recent days.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS