This morning at the Oxbow, Jay Sheppard reported that Purple Martins were 
visiting! Earlier this Spring Jay and I received permission from MD DNR to 
erect a Purple Martin house. The martins did not use the house during 
breeding season, but maybe they'll return next year now that they know it 
is there! 

Also, still visiting Oxbow Lake is the Trumpeter Swan #960. Siblings, #960 
and #962 were hatched in 2005 on the Langill farm at Grand Valley, Ontario.

We also have several Great Egrets gracing our little lake. 

The score is now Mother Nature 2 - Beavers 0. The dam the beavers rebuilt 
this past winter/spring to maintain the water level in Oxbow Lake was 
destroyed by the recent rains/flooding. The water level has dropped about 1 
1/2 feet. The beavers duplex lodge out in the middle of the lake was also 
destroyed and washed away. The beavers are still there and hopefully they 
will begin rebuilding the dam soon. 

Because of the low water level, the Oxbow should attract shorebirds that 
love mudflats.

The low water level will also allow us to walk to areas of the lake and 
surrounding wetlands that we normally would not be able to reach during the 
annual inspection coming later this fall. If anyone is interested in 
participating in this 1-day trek around the lake, let me know and I'll keep 
you posted once we have a date set.

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD