Patuxent River Park - one of Prince George's County's hidden gems.
We hope you FALL for us this season!
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Dear Park Patrons,
I hope everyone is well and has been enjoying their summer. The park has changed in the short time since our last newsletter. The billions of Brood X cicadas in our region have come and gone with their next generation beginning their unique 17 year underground journey. Our livestreaming osprey cameras monitored two nests that successfully fledged their chicks including one foster chick. Viewers from across the world enjoyed watching this year’s nesting season and even contributed to the rescue of one chick who prematurely left the nest (see article below).
We’ve had high visitation thus far with thousands of people taking advantage of the safe outdoor recreation opportunities offered at the park. We look forward to this Fall and hope you are able to join to us for one of our unique program offerings, visit the American Indian Festival on October 16, or simply stop by to reconnect with nature and local history. See some of our Fall programs below. Please note that we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will update our visitors with any policy changes related to COVID-19. Please visit www.PatuxentRiverPark.com or call 301-627-6074 for more information.
Lastly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently issued a comprehensive report stating that global warming from human activities is directly contributing to a changing climate right now. Though the report says to expect an increase in extreme weather for the coming decades, our actions today to reduce our carbon emissions will minimize the most dire outcomes. As the park evaluates its own operations, please take a minute to discover ways you may be able to reduce your carbon footprint.
Until the Winter edition,
Thomas Baden
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American Indian Festival returns for 2021! |
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We are so excited to tell you that there WILL be an in-person festival this October! Join us for the 13th annual American Indian Festival at Patuxent River Park, on Saturday, October 16, from 10 am-4 pm. Free Admission and Parking. See performances of Traditional and contemporary Native music, educational exhibits, sales vendors, Native food and other favorites, 2 fields of activities including games, crafts, archery, and pony rides. Raffle items include 2 Pendleton blankets and a professional quality Native flute. Grand Entry and arena activities begin at 12 noon.
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Our Visitors Center is now open! |
The Visitors Center is now OPEN to the public during the following times:
- Tuesday-Sunday: 9 am-3 pm
- Monday: Closed
Many visitor center services are still available online.
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Fall Volunteer Opportunities |
Fall Volunteer Workdays will be the first and last Saturdays in September and October (dates below) from 10am to 2pm. Email our coordinator, Monica Stiefel for more information by clicking on the button to the right or go to pgparks.com/volunteer to register.
Fall Workdays:
September: 6th and 27th
October: 2nd and 30th
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Sora Rail Field Project Update
by Katherine Dami (Research Team Member)
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The maps to the left is one fall (top) and one spring (middle) migration track of Sora rails that were captured at Patuxent River Park and fitted with radio transmitters (image of Sora rail with transmitter below maps). These tracks are part of an ongoing investigation into Sora rail migration movements using the MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System, an extensive automated telemetry network.
Transmitter 34 was attached to an after-hatch-year male on September 24th, 2019. He departed Patuxent River Park at about 6:00pm on November 20th, 2019. He flew past another one of our towers at Newtowne Neck State Park at about 6:40pm. Twenty three hours later he was detected at Watermelon Pond Wildlife Management Area at about 6:30pm on November 21st, 2019. He flew about 700 miles in about 24 hours!
Transmitter 392 was attached to an after-hatch-year female on April 21st, 2021. She departed Patuxent River Park at about 9:30pm on May 20th, 2021. She flew through the night passing through Hickory Ridge on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania at about 11:50pm and Templeton in Pennsylvania at about 2:30am. On the night of May 21st, 2021, she crossed Lake Erie and went into Canada. She hit multiple towers after passing over the Long Point Peninsula, an important migration location for many birds which extends into Lake Erie. She was last detected at Zorad, a tower near Simcoe, Canada, at about 11:30pm.
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Upcoming Fall Programs
Registration begins August 16th for residents; August 23rd for non-residents
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Special Youth & Family Programming
In-Person
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Osprey Investigation
Learn about the ospreys that call Patuxent River Park their summer home and the researchers that study them.
Wednesday, September 1; 10:30-11:30am; $5 ($7); Ages 4-6 (22606-561A)
The Great Pre-School Series (Fall Edition)
Is your preschooler already expressing interest in nature? Bring them to the Park this Fall to enjoy age-appropriate exploration complete with stories, hikes, and plenty of hands-on activities! (Registration includes all three sessions)
Fridays; 1:00-2:30pm; $15 ($20); Ages 3-6
September 3, October 1, November 5
Activity Code: 22102-561A
Fall Woodland Walk Series
Join us on one or all of our Naturalist-guided woodland walks this fall! All hikes are all ages and run from 9:30-10:30am.
Family Discovery Hike; Saturday, September 4; $3 ($4); (22604-561A)
National Public Lands Day Hike; Sunday, September 26; (22630-561B)
Fall Colors Hike; Sunday, October 17; (22624-561A)
Family Discovery Hike; Sunday, November 7; (22604-561B)
Thankfulness Hike; Saturday, November 20; (22630-561C)
Free Sunday Boat Tour
Sunday is a great day to be on a boat! We welcome you to enjoy a relaxing, scenic boat tour. Your Guide will be available for any questions you may have. Both boat tours are all ages and from 2:00-3:00pm. Even though they are free, you still must register for them.
September 19 (PRP-SPEC-GA-20210919)
October 17 (PRP-SPEC-GA-20211017)
Celebrate Estuaries Boat Tour
Celebrate National Estuaries Week by heading out on a boat tour on one of the most beautiful ones in the state!
Wednesday, September 22; 10:00-11:30am; $3 ($4); All ages; (22643-561B)
Owl Pellet Program
Discover what owls eat and how they fit into the food chain by dissecting an owl pellet!
Fridays; 10:30-11:30am; $5 ($7):
Ages 4-6 years: October 15 (20601-561B); November 19 (20601-561C)
Ages 5-8 years: September 17 (20601-561A)
Leaf it to Fall
Go on a fun nature hike and collect leaves to create a fall craft.
Tuesday, October 19; 10:30-11:30am; $5 ($7); Ages 4-6; (22606-561B)
Bats Don't Go Bump in the Night
Join us for fun bat themed crafts and games to learn about our nocturnal friends.
Friday, October 29; 10:30-11:30am; $5 ($7); Ages 4-6; (22606-561C)
Harvest Boat Tour and Craft
Join us on this boat tour to celebrate the season and create something crafty to take home!
Saturday, October 30; 2:00-4:00pm; $5 ($7); Ages 5+; (22643-561D)
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Nature Meets History Hike
In-Person Unique Hike
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This hike will be the first of its kind here at Patuxent River Park. A Naturalist and Archaeologist will lead this hike that meanders past a historic house and property site in the Park. Hear nature and history facts as you enjoy a leisurely hike on one of our new trails!
Wednesday, November 17; 10:00am-12:00pm $5 ($7); Ages 18 & up; (22630-561D)
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Fall Foliage Tour on the Mattaponi
In-Person Unique Kayak Excursion
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View the vibrant colors of the fall trees that line Mattaponi Creek! Kayaks, paddles, PFDs, and guided instruction provided. Please bring a lunch and wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
Friday, October 29; 10:00am-2:00pm; $30 ($39); Ages 18 & up; (22406-561A)
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Active Aging Week Programs!
In-Person
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Seniors Relaxation Cruise
Come along on a boat ride designed to put you at peace! Traveling at a comfortable pace, feel the calming effect the river can bring.
Tuesday, October 5; 1:00-2:30pm; FREE; Ages 60 and better (26501-561B)
Seniors Kayaking the Patuxent
Explore the beauty of the river from a kayak! Kayaks, paddles, PFDs, and instruction included. Please wear appropriate attire and bring water and sunscreen.
Thursday, October 7; 1:00-3:00pm; FREE; Ages 60 and better (26501-561A)
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Find more programs and register for them by clicking on the blue 'View & Register For Our Programs' button below. If you are interested in a private program, click on the green 'Request Private Program' button! |
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The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of Individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive an accommodation. |
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A Tale of a Rescued Osprey |
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The staff at Patuxent River Park make every effort to try and protect the osprey that nest there every year. While there are several hundred nest platforms along the river, we monitor (check periodically) about 60 of them in the Jug Bay portion. Two of the nests have solar-powered cameras that live stream nest activities 24-7 during the season. These live streams, while monitored by park staff, are also watched by several private stewards from not only the local area, but from across the globe as evidenced by an incident that happened on osprey cam #2, Friday, July 16th in the evening.
On Friday, July 16th, 2021 at approximately 7:12pm, a newly introduced-to-the-nest “foster” chick* was standing on a wobbly stick that gave way and caused the bird to fall into the water below the nest. Several keen observers of the feed (including one from Japan and Hawaii!) promptly went into action and contacted Patuxent River Park via the Park’s general email address. One staff member (Beth Mays) who noticed the email shortly after it was sent immediately contacted the osprey Biologist (Greg Kearns) and passed along the message that one of Camera Nest 2’s chicks had fallen out of the nest. Each observer who reported the fallen chick received a reply stating that the lead Biologist had been contacted and he would figure out a course of action. Another staff member (Katherine Dami) who received the email contacted Kearns to offer her assistance to the situation and was guided through how to rescue the chick. Exactly two hours later, at 9:12pm, the chick was successfully returned to the nest by Dami and remains there to this day; given another chance to make it to fledging and migrate south in a little under two months.
View the footage of the fall and subsequent rescue here.
You can also watch the excitement live during the nesting/fledging season! Bookmark this page and visit it next year around mid-March!
Note: Comments are turned off on the two live feeds. If the viewing public has any questions or desires more information, Patuxent River Park can be contacted at the information found at the end of this newsletter.
*Chick “fostering” is a common practice put into place when orphaned/injured osprey are found and can be returned to the wild. If parents/original nest cannot be located for whatever reason, our Research Naturalist/Biologist, who keeps tracks of the timelines of each monitored osprey nest, places the orphaned/rehabbed osprey into a nest with “siblings” that are of comparable ages/sizes to give it the best chance at survival. This method has seen great success in helping those orphaned/rehabbed osprey make it to fledging.
**Osprey pictured is NOT the rescued osprey.
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Meet Staff Member, Justin Rice! |
Q: How long have you been working at PRP?
A: Approximately 6 months.
Q: What are your current job responsibilities?
A: General maintenance of the park and facilities, including lawn maintenance, limbing trees, mulching, trash removal, and more.
Q: What parts of your job are most enjoyable for you?
A: Meeting new people, and doing different activities from day to day.
Q: What previous jobs or volunteer experiences did you have prior to working at PRP?
A: I volunteered to help feed the homeless, and when I was a Pizza Hut manager, I delivered the unsold pizzas to the homeless. I was a mechanic for about 4 years. I have done landscaping, and I had my own business selling firewood for about 10 years.
Q: What are your long-term career goals?
A: I would like to advance within the M-NCPPC organization.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy fishing, hunting, working on cars, and playing video games.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I used to do paranormal investigations.
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...that the photo to the right is of a PLANT (not a mushroom/fungi) called Ghost Indian Pipe?
Ghost pipe (also known as Indianpipe) is a member of the Monotropaceae family. Members of this family were formerly considered part of the family Ericaceae, but recent evidence suggests they should be considered separate. The genus name Monotropa is Greek for "one turn" referring to sharp recurving of top of the stem, and the specific epithet is Latin for “one flowered”. This native plant species is found throughout the majority of the United States in humus in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations. It is noticeably absent throughout the range of the Rocky Mountains. This species is also found in Asia.
These perennial plants are generally 4-8 inches tall, with small scale-like leaves, and white five parted flowers. Plants only have one flower per stem, and flowering occurs roughly from June through September. Stems can be found alone, but are commonly found in small clusters.
It is striking in appearance because it is completely white in appearance, although individuals can have pink coloration and black specks. How does this plant survive without the green pigment chlorophyll? Chlorophyll is responsible for harnessing the sun’s energy to produce carbohydrates, a process known as photosynthesis. Ghost pipe saps nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source, myccorhizal fungi in the genera Russula and Lactarius.
You can find this unique plant in Patuxent River Park. The photo in this article was taken in May 2021 along our new purple trail! Check out the new purple trail and others using our most up-to-date trail map!
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Staff member Esther Woodworth takes us on a walk on our beloved Brown Trail in Fall. |
Fall is coming! Can you see the signs? Are the tree leaves changing color from greens to browns, tans, reds, yellows, oranges, and purples? Can you smell the spicey, dusty scents of fall? Can you see the different ways plants look in the fall? Can you see birds and geese migrating?
Have the nuts and pinecones fallen? The tulip poplar trees have seed pods that look like candles at the treetops in the winter! Look to see how many kinds of pinecones you can find – Virginia pines – small, White pines -- larger, and the largest cones from the long needle pines. See how many kinds of acorns you can find from the oak trees. Not that one, the little pointed one with little points on its sides, that’s a beech nut from the beech tree above you! What is the tree whose needles went orange and fell off? They have knees coming up around the tree in the water. Why it’s a bald cypress!
What happed to the ferns? Look for the bald curved sticks from the cinnamon ferns in the swamp and look for the sensitive fern that is brown and crinkly now. Have the sensitive ferns left dark brown knotty fronds? Those are next year’s seeds! What happened to the green cattail leaves? I just see the brown seed heads – the leaves go tan over winter and the seed drift off to plant cattails! What happened to the snowy buttonbush flowers? The seeds look like brown buttons that belong on a man’s sport jacket!
Have the Beavers prepared their lodge for the winter? Look for new sticks and leaves on the lodge! Look for short new pointed stumps near the pond’s edge! The Beavers take the chewed down trees to the lodge for winter food. See a path from the lodge through the pond all the way to the edge of the beavers’ dam? That path will be there all winter so the beavers can get out and find more food all winter! Their path stays open all winter even when the pond is covered in ice!
Don’t forget on late fall and winter walks to look for skunk cabbage blossoms coming up. Look for purplish hoodies with yellow-green stripes and blotches! They can start appearing in November! The blossom is the round whitish object in the hoodie. The hoodies protect the flowers all winter, through snow and ice! Leaves won’t be open until spring!
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The Critical Area Driving Tour
This four mile, self-guided tour has interpretive stops and an observation tower. It offers a unique opportunity to see and learn about the outstanding natural resources of the Patuxent River.
Open daily for hikers and bikers.
Open Sundays for vehicles 10:00 am-3:00 pm
(One way from Patuxent River Park to Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary)
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The Rural Life Museums
These museums preserve the legacy of 19th Century
history in Prince George’s County. Visit the Duvall Tool Museum, Tobacco Farming Museum, Duckett Log Cabin, Blacksmith & Farrier Shops, the 1923 Sears House, and the Working the River Museum.
FREE weekend tours—April thru October; 1-4:00 pm
Guided private tours are available by advanced reservation at
other times for a fee.
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16000 Croom Airport Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-627-6074
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