Folks

Yesterday I visited the Mattawoman Environmental Area near Marbury, MD.  The area is just off MD. Rt. 224, about one mile south of the Rt. 225 intersection on the right.  The parking area is just south of Lackey High School.  The highlight was a female Northern Shoveler with a small flock of 15 Mallards.  A surprise but not totally unique for mid August.  The Yellowbook shows the first August record for August 9.  

Not much else was present.  The other highlight was a male Wood Duck hiding under a tree stump to avoid the bass fisherman.  Most of the ducks seen were in eclipsed plumage.  A few Great Egret, two Kingfishers, about six Forster's Terns and a couple Laughing Gulls were present.  Red-eyed Vireo and Eastern Wood Pewee were still singing, and a couple Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were present.  Barn and Bank Swallow were over head and the ever present Bald Eagles.

This area has potential for better stuff, but it may be more storm dependent since active boat fishing takes place - even at low tide.  Fall waterfowl should be great here when the fishing winds down but migrant waders and shorebirds may only stay briefly.  I can just imagine Purple Gallinule, Tri-colored Heron, White Ibis, and better, but too much activity even during the week now.  

More later.

George