Hello VA-Birders:
I spent two hours this afternoon along the Potomac River in Algonkian
Regional Park, at the eastern end of Loudoun Country. In contrast to the
hundreds of Ring-necked Ducks to be seen ten miles downstream at Riverbend
Park, none were in view at Algonkian while I was there. There were,
however, lots of Buffleheads, and, swimming and diving with a group of one
male and three female Buffleheads, a female LONG-TAILED DUCK. In the same
vicinity--offshore from the boat ramp--were a pair of Canvasbacks, a
solitary female Hooded Merganser, and several Common Mergansers, along with
dozens of Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls.
Upstream from the boat ramp I spotted three Common Goldeneyes, but as I
watched them the number grew. As the Goldeneyes continually dived and
resurfaced, I counted and recounted. When my tally reached 18, suddenly all
the ducks came to the surface at once, stayed motionless in the water for a
few seconds, then noisily took to the air, allowing me to determine that
there were 24, of which five adult males.
On several occasions at Riverbend Park, I have seen Buffleheads, who had
been swimming and diving in pairs or small groups, congregate late in the
afternoon--about an hour before sunset--and move down the river in a large
flotilla, feeding as they go. I wondered if I would see that again this
afternoon and if the female Long-tailed Duck, who seemed to be integrated
into her little group of Buffleheads, would join the flotilla. Indeed,
about 4:30 PM the Buffleheads did congregate and start moving downstream,
but the Long-tailed Duck then swam away from them and began feeding by
herself.
Dorothy Tella
McLean, VA
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