I've had several inquiries about Trumpeter Swan #960 at Oxbow Lake recently 
so I guess there might have been several people visiting recently. The Oxbow 
Lake is such a wonderful place when left to Mother Nature. However, humans 
have once again rained down destruction.

Jay Sheppard noticed the water level was down last week. Today he ventured 
down to the two major beaver dams that maintain the water level. He 
discovered that someone (not something) had destroyed both dams. I believe 
his comment last week was the water level fell 12-18". And today he had to 
say that it was too bad it wasn't shorebird migration because there is quite a 
large mud flat.

Jay reported the vandalism to the Anne Arundel County Park Ranger and to the 
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Wildlife and Heritage Division) who 
own the uplands (county) and the lake (state).

I'm hoping that some of you who might have visited recently saw something or 
better yet took pictures and could let Jay () or I know.

To make this birding official, Trumpeter Swan #960 is remaining true to his 
little lake and was seen in the southeast corner this morning, blending in well 
with the new white snow.

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD