After work I decided to try for some of the birds being found in the area 
recently.  I spent about 1 hour at Merkle looking for the White Ibis without 
success at the pond behind the visitor's center.   However, I did see a 
juvenile Little Blue Heron, perhaps the same bird I had at Schoolhouse Pond 
yesterday.  Also present was a Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least 
Sandpiper, and several Killdeer.  Regarding the Ibis, it should be noted that 
there is a portion of the pond not visible from the visitor's center deck.  After 
I had been there about 1/2 an hour, a dozen Canada Geese swam out that I 
hadn't previously seen.  So, the Ibis could still be there, but out of sight when 
I was there along the lefthand side of the pond.

After that, I kayaked from Magruder Ferry to Black Swamp Creek.  
Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the Sedge Wren.  I may not have left 
myself enough time before dark because of the time spent looking for the 
Ibis.  However, highlights included a singing Summer Tanager, numerous 
singing Marsh Wrens, and a flyover Royal Tern.  It was definitely a beautiful 
evening to be out.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS