I struck out on all the great birds along Melwood Road, but did much better along the Patuxent River when I kayaked for about 3 hours late this afternoon and early evening.  I put my kayak in the water at the MD 4 bridge, originally intending to kayak to the north.  However, the tide was so low that I decided to go to the south towards Jug Bay.  I was hoping for shorebirds and waders, and was not disappointed.

I kayaked south from MD 4 and to the marsh opposite Mt. Calvert.  Both species of yellowlegs were abundant along the mudflats lining the river, with the majority of the birds being Greater Yellowlegs.  There were also seven or eight Spotted Sandpipers on the mudflats along the river.  I heard a variety of warblers along the river, including lots of Common Yellowthroats, one Ovenbird, and one Yellow Warbler.  Marsh Wren sang from the marshes along both sides of the river.  Swallows were also abundant.  The majority were Barn and Tree, but I did see a few Bank Swallows as well.

However, the highlight was when I reached the marsh opposite Mt. Calvert.  Greater Yellowlegs called from throughout the marsh, with a few Lesser Yellowlegs mixed in.  I then kayaked up the small creek that bisects the marsh in between the Western Branch and the Patuxent River (in Prince George's County).  In addition to Wood Ducks, I found 22 Blue-winged Teal, plus one Green-winged Teal.  However, the highlight was when I saw two Glossy Ibis along the creek.  They flew several times, always landing back in the marsh.  I also heard one Least Bittern.  As I began to exit the marsh, I came upon an adult male Least Bittern along the edge of the marsh at the creek's edge.  I was able to drift within 10 or 15 feet of the bird, getting spectacular views.  

Once I was back on the main channel of the Patuxent River, I came across a large group of yellowlegs (mostly Greater).  However, on the Prince George's side of the river, I saw two breeding plumage Dunlins mixed in with the yellowlegs.  Also, at one point the shorebirds were flushed by the passing of a Merlin low over the marsh.  And, the last bird for the day was a singing Louisiana Waterthrush as I near the boat ramp off MD 4.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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