The adult male Blue-winged Teal continues at Schoolhouse Pond.  I viewed the bird from the rear observation platform as it preened in the spatterdock to the right.  As I have previously posted, I've seen both male and female Blue-winged Teal at the pond throughout the spring and now into June.  This is the first time I've seen a BWTE within the safe dates that were used during the atlas (June 5 to July 5).  Within the last week or so, I've seen both male and female Blue-winged Teal at the pond, albiet not at the same time.  For the most part, the birds stay out of sight in the dense vegetation at the rear of the pond.  Despite looking every day, I only seem to find one or the other of the birds once or twice a week.  They stay out of sight even more so than the breeding Wood Ducks at the pond (which have a group of chicks).  I am really interested to see how long the Blue-winged Teal remain at the pond and if there is any evidence that they are breeding here.  Also this morning, I got great views (within 15 feet) of the singing Prothonotary Warbler, which has been present (visible and vocal) each morning this spring.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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