Did my first birding of the Obama era this morning, with a half-hour drop-by at Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro en route to work.

	A small patch of open water near the boardwalk provided some excellent close-up looks at a few waterfowl species, including Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, American Coot and Northern Shoveler. Our old friend the Trumpeter Swan was also nearby.

	All of the gulls that I could see out on the ice were Ringed-Bills. Other treats were a pair of Swamp Sparrows, and a half-dozen singing Carolina Wrens, acting like spring was in the air. I wish.


    Warren & Lisa Strobel 
    Annapolis, MD
    
    www.birdcouple.com