I visited several spots in southern Prince George's County late this afternoon, but the highlight was an American Bittern in the wetlands immediately off Brown Station Road.  It was actually the first bird I saw, about 150 feet or so from the road.  The bird was feeding on some exposed mudflats in the middle of the wetlands.  I viewed the bird for probably 15 or 20 minutes (a little before five) and it was still present when I left.  I got some pretty decent photos of the bird, at least for digiscoping.  It was actively feeding while I watched, and at times swayed back and forth with its bill in the air.  I watched it catch a small fish or lizard at one point.

I also stopped at Schoolhouse Pond (several cormorants, Wood Ducks, Orchard Oriole), Wharf Road (Great Blue Herons and not much else), and Mockley Point.  This stop was more active and included several Orchard Orioles, Eastern Kingbirds, Eastern Wood Pewee, Indigo Bunting, Prothonotary Warbler, Parula, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Blackpoll Warbler, Ovenbird, Osprey, an immature Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, and a few immature Ring-billed Gulls over the river.

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, MD