I went down to Schoolhouse Pond early this afternoon.  The gulls were again cooperative today and there was a large group on the ice.  Chris Barnard and Bill Hill were already there.  They had found a 1st winter Thayer's Gull on the ice which we were able to look at as it perched on the ice for five minutes or so.  Our attention was diverted when Chris got on the 1st winter Iceland Gull.  The Iceland Gull was again along the ice near the open water and occasionally went swimming on the water.  Also present were approximately 1,200 Ring-billed Gulls, 63 Herring Gulls, and 1 2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull.  The gulls flushed at one point, and the Iceland and Thayer's Gulls appeared to leave.  But, there were still lots of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls present.  Gulls were constantly coming and going.  There was also one fairly pale and contrasty, but bulky and large, black-billed Herring-type gull that we puzzled over a little bit.  In all, I was at the pond from 12:20 until a little after 1:30.  

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, MD