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Subject:

Black Tern at Jug Bay

From:

Fred Shaffer

Reply-To:

Fred Shaffer

Date:

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:03:19 -0400

Late this afternoon I kayaked along the Patuxent at Jug Bay.  I put in at 
Selby's Landing, and kayaked to Jackson Landing and back, with a substantial 
detour through the marsh near Jackson Landing. The highlight was 
undoubtedly when a nonbreeding Black Tern flew by.  Given the time of year, I 
had hoped to find a Black Tern among the numerous Forster's Terns, and the 
Black Tern flew overhead approximately 1/4 mile south of Selby's Landing.  I 
got great views of the bird as it flew almost directly overhead twice, and 
skimmed the water's surface a hundred or so feet from the kayak several 
times.  Probably eight or nine Forsters Terns were present, either flying 
overhead or perched on the buoys.

Another highlight included a pair of Prothonatary Warblers low in the 
vegetation at the river's edge.  Both the male and female came into view 
probably less then a dozen feet from where I was.  Also present were 
numerous Wood Ducks, countless Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 
several Double-crested Cormorants, several kingbirds, a young Eastern 
Phoebe, and several singing Marsh Wrens.  It was definitely a beautiful late 
afternoon/early evening to be out.

Fred Shaffer

Patuxent MOS