I kayaked along the Patuxent River and adjacent marshes and then up 
Mattaponi Creek for several hours this morning.  One of the highlights was 
when I flushed up a Least Bittern from the cattails next to the creek I was 
on.  The bird flew up and a short distance away over the reeds before 
descending back out of view.  The bird was deep in the marsh directly across 
from Selby Landing.  Marsh Wren and Common Yellowthroats also sang 
throughout the marsh.  Osprey flew overhead and one Bald Eagle passed 
over.  

I then went to the north and up Mattaponi Creek into Merkle.  Once again, 
singing Marsh Wren lined the creek, as well as smaller numbers of Common 
Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers.  Other birds included a singing 1st year 
Orchard Oriole, several Indigo Buntings, and one singing Willow Flycatcher.  
The flycatcher was in a hammock of slightly higher ground with several bushes 
and small trees about a half mile (or a little less) up the creek from the 
Patuxent.  

As I paddled back down the creek, I could see the clouds building and hear 
the distant thunder and was able to get back to the landing about a half hour 
before the powerful storms came through.  

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS