Superintendent Madello Visited Dyke Marsh

FODMers welcomed Superintendent Jennifer Madello to Dyke Marsh on June 5, 2025. She is a career National Park Service employee who became the superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in December 2024.

Jim Gearing and Ed Eder described many of the preserve’s native plants and FODM’s efforts to control invasive plants.

Ed and Kay Bushman pointed out birds, including bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) and nesting Eastern kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus). The osprey parents were busy feeding their chicks in a nest near the Belle Haven Marina boat ramp. The kingbirds have built a nest and raised young in the same tree for several years. Kay told her that the eagles have fledged three young in each of the last three years.

Superintendent Madello tried out the Chronolog station and took a photo with her cellphone. Visit www.chronolog.io/site/DMW102.

Jim Gearing described many of the preserve’s native plants and FODM’s efforts to control invasive plants. All photos by Glenda Booth.

Kay Bushman (right) told Superintendent Madello that the bald eagle pair (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) near the Haul Road Trail raised three young for the past three years.

Superintendent Madello took a photo of the wetland’s lush vegetation.

Superintendent Madello discussed plants like spatterdock (Nuphar advena) now thriving in many parts of the marsh.

Superintendent Madello tried out the Chronolog station and took a photo with her cellphone.

Kay said that this Eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) nest has eggs.

The group watched a male Eastern kingbird “stand sentinel” over the nest.

The group was “treated” to a spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus) near the boat ramp.