I went kayaking along the Patuxent River late this afternoon, putting in at the MD 4 bridge and going south to Mt. Calvert. On the river/mudflats across from Mt. Calvert, I came across a flock of approximately 150 Laughing Gull. Present with this group was one adult Black-headed Gull. I got great views and several photos of the bird as I glided fairly close to its position. Eventually, the gulls began to flush, perhaps heading to a roost site for the evening as it was getting pretty late in the afternoon. The gull was on the Prince George's side of the river the entire time I viewed it.
Dusk came and went as I made my way back towards the boat launch, and it was getting pretty dark as I headed north. About half way between Mt. Calvert and MD 4, I heard three Virginia Rails calling off and on from the marsh on the Anne Arundel side of the river. Two of the birds were quite close to the river, while the third seemed much further off in the marsh. Other highlights during the trip included a Northern Harrier, several Bald Eagles, four Forster's Terns, Black Ducks and Green-winged Teal, and a calling flyover Pine Siskin at dusk. Good birding,
Fred Shaffer
<GlaucousGull...>
Crofton, Anne Arundel
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