Last Thursday (Sep 29) five of us completed the annual inspection of the 
Little Patuxent Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve. We spent 7 hours and walked 4 
miles inspecting the lake, wetlands, and surrounding floodplain. Because 
the water is so low, we were able to walk right out into the wetland-area 
amongst the cattails (but flushed no rails or bitterns). The preserve is 
located within the Russett Community near Hwy 198 and the Baltimore-
Washington Parkway near Laurel, MD. Participants included Jay Sheppard (TNC 
volunteer), Adam Smith (AA Co Park Ranger), Kathy McCarthy (MD DNR), MJ 
Praetorius (RCA Board), and me.

Although birding wasn't our primary objective, along the way we identified 
around 40 species including a MERLIN and CONNECTICUT WARBLER.

American Bluebird
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blue Grosbeak
Blue Jay
Canada Goose
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Chimney Swift
Common Yellowthroat
Connecticut Warbler
Cooper's Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Great Blue Heron
Grey Catbird
Harry Woodpecker
Indigo Bunting
Kildeer
Mallard Duck
Merlin
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-Winged Blackbird
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Wild Turkey (no birds seen, but numerous feathers found in multiple places, 
there was also evidence of a kill)
Winter Wren
Wood Duck

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD