On Saturday, Jay Sheppard observed a female Least Bittern foraging at Oxbow 
Lake. Maybe we'll be seeing young in the coming weeks!

I thought I'd pass on these directions for anyone wanting to check out the 
Moorhens, Trumpeter Swan, or Least Bittern.

Using an Internet program like MapQuest? Get directions to the intersection 
of Oxbow Pl & Lost Creek Blvd, Laurel, MD 20724. Once on Oxbow Place and 
after crossing the 1st speed hump, look to your left to see the entrance 
into the preserve. Do a U-turn and park right at the street entrance.

Got a scope? It is worthwhile to take it with you. The lake covers about 35 
acres.

Moorhen: 
From the street entrance, take the trail that goes off to the left (heading 
Southwest), follow the trail as it follows the lake (heading west). As you 
walk along the trail, look out into the middle of the lake on your right. 
There are several observation areas where the foilage opens up. Just after 
you step over a large tree across the trail and you begin heading uphill a 
bit, look down and you'll see a beaver lodge along the bank. There is a 
small peninsula that juts out into the middle of the lake from the North 
side. The end of the peninsula is covered in reeds and now Japanese 
stiltgrass (the really bright light green plants - looks beautiful, but is 
invasive). The Moorhen(s) appears wading and swimming along the edge of the 
reedy point.

Trumpeter Swan:
You should get a good look at #960 from this general area, too.

Least Bittern:
From the street entrance, take the improved trail forward and follow it to 
a small observation area (okay, most of what you can see from here are the 
leaves on the tree this time of year). Go around/step over the fence and 
proceed along the trail to the right. This takes you down to lake level (my 
favorite spot)! A Least Bittern flew into this area each of the 3 times one 
was seen. (Two years ago when the Purple Gallinule visited the Oxbow, Jay 
also had a family of Least Bitterns in the same vicinity the female is now.)

Other trail info: From the vantage point for the Moorhen and Trumpeter 
Swan, follow the trail as it winds its way to the southern end of the lake. 
You can also follow the trail (after you pass the lake, turn right on the 
trail) around the southern end and up to Blueberry Hill (that's what I call 
it). You can make your way out to the lake pretty easily on the southside. 
Once you pass the southwest corner, the trail is much harder to traverse.

I hope you enjoy the Oxbow and please let me know what you see.

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD