[va-richmond-general] Re: Birds on Ice

 

Over the past two nights Swift Creek Reservoir has partially frozen.   The
ducks have made the remaining open water home.  Saturday I saw a group of
about 10 ring bill ducks within 20 feet of the Woolridge causeway.  The
Hooded Mergansers were out in force, with at least 30 males diving around
the edge of the ice.  The best sighting was when we stopped to throw gravel,
and then larger rocks out on to the ice.  Great fun for Dad and Robbie.
Susan looked up and spotted a mature bald eagle sailing overhead about 20
feet up.  It sailed along the shoreline then dived on to the ice.  At first
we could not tell what was going on, then suddenly a gull suddenly appeared
out of its talons.  It is hard to believe, but the eagle apparently picked
the gull off of the ice, but then lost the gull as it shifted it around for
a better grip.  I've heard of eagles grabbing ducks, but never a gull.  

 

There is plenty of safe parking along the causeway and room to set up
scopes.  It also a great place to get up close photos with birds often less
than 40 feet from the shore, and with a little luck, they often come up
within 10 feet of the shore.

 

Bob Siegfried.

Other related posts: