I kayaked this afternoon along the Patuxent River at Jug Bay from 4:30 until 
7:30.  I went south from Jackson Landing and than paddled up Mattaponi 
Creek.  Then, I explored the marsh directly across from the landing, before 
going to the north to the more open water of Jug Bay.  I was looking for the 
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and did a pretty thorough search of the river and 
marsh near Jackson Landing.  Unfortunately, I didn't see any sign of the 
Whistling Ducks.  Waterfowl present included Mallards, Wood Ducks, Black 
Ducks, and Mallard X Black Duck hybrids.  

Also present were several flyover Double crested Cormorants, the usual 
numerous Forster's Terns, and my first Caspian Tern of the season.  Marsh 
Wrens sang from all parts of the marsh, and huge numbers of Red-winged 
Blackbirds were flying over the marsh, with hundreds coming in as the evening 
wore on.  Of course, the Osprey were everywhere, with young noisily begging 
for food.  One Bald Eagle flew over.  

Perhaps the most unexpected bird of the day was as I loaded the kayak on my 
car and a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk glided overhead, harassed by several 
smaller birds.  I was also somewhat surprised by the number of Ruby-throated 
Hummingbirds that I saw in the portions of the marsh dominated by the wild 
rice (four).

Fred Shaffer

Patuxent MOS