My kayaking this summer has been largely non-productive birdwise, but this evening was pretty good.  Taking advantage of the nice weather, I went out to Jug Bay after work today (Aug. 6).  Putting in near the visitor's center on the Prince George's side, I went north along the river.  There were lots of waders, including several Great Blue Herons, 9 Great Egrets (flying north in scattered groups),  and 4 Green Herons.  But the highlight was as I paddled along the rice marsh just south of Mount Calvert when a female Least Bittern flushed from the marsh and flew across the river.  I got pretty good views of the bird in flight before it settled into the marsh on the other side, not to reappear.

I continued north and went into one of the creeks winding deeper into the marsh.  Lots of Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroats were singing.  I also scrutinized the hordes of blackbirds, but nothing unusual was present.  Then, as I went back south towards the boat launch, I flushed up another Least Bittern, fairly close to the location of the first bittern.  This bird was an adult male.  Other birds present along the river included lots of Wood Ducks, Forster's Terns, and a few Cormorants.  At one point I saw 1 Purple Martin come down to the river for a drink with a group of Barn Swallows.

Yesterday (Aug. 5) after work, I kayaked down at Eagle Harbor, putting in at Cedar Haven.  The birding was relatively slow, but I got some great looks at close Royal Terns, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, many, many cormorants, and a lone Ruddy Duck.

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, MD