I went kayaking after work today, putting in at Jackson Landing and paddling south to Mattaponi Creek.  Forster's Terns were numerous, there were a few Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls present, and a small group of Double-crested Cormorants were on the water.  But, the highlight was undoubtedly the waders present on the mudflats and shallows just south of Jackson Landing.  Including both the trip down and back, I counted 1 immature Little Blue Heron (as I headed south), 1 Snowy Egret (as I headed north), 13 Great Egrets, 8 Great Blue Herons, and at least 2 Tricolored Herons.  I saw my first Tricolored Heron on the mudflats at the mouth of Mattaponi Creek.  Then, as I paddled north a Tricolored Heron flew past me heading north and when I arrived at the mudflats there were 2 Tricolored Herons present, which may have included the bird I saw earlier.  Perhaps best of all, I got to watch one of the Tricolored Herons canopy feeding in the shallows.  For all of the distance I covered, the majority of the birds I saw were probably visible from the observation platform just south of Jackson Landing and the Jug Bay visitors center (Prince George's side).

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel