[va-bird] Waterfowl Show at Dyke Marsh

VA BIRDers,

The freezing weather we are experiencing also means that many small ponds, 
marshes and bays are frozen.  This is tending to push together waterfowl into 
small areas to feed and escape the wind.  Just off the marina at Dyke Marsh 
is such a place with a great waterfowl show going on.  About 15 species of 
duck can be found within a few hundred yards of the boat launch ramp.  The 
waterfowl in this area are dominated by Canada Geese at about a 1000 strong.  
Mallards and Common Mergansers vie for the number two slot with 400-500 a 
piece - the latter appear to be starting their spring build up for northbound 
migration.  Gadwall are nearly a hundred strong.  Next on the list are Am. 
Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, and Bufflehead with about 50 a 
piece.  Rounding out the roster are Am. Wigeon, No. Pintails, Canvasbacks, 
Redheads (over a dozen), Ring-necked Ducks, Greater Scaup (a male), Hooded 
Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks.  I also noted a few Killdeer and a Greater 
Yellowlegs.  I am sure there are a few more interesting birds out there for 
an enterprising soul to find!

Oh, if you visit the area, watch out for the duck hunters.  It looks like 
they have also found the build up and are out near the marsh edges away from 
the marina.  I wonder if its legal to hunt in the Dyke Marsh area (a unit of 
the NPS)???

Kurt Gaskill


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