Today I went to Loudon County in search of the hundreds of ducks found at Ft.
Loudoun Dam two days ago by Ron and Dollyann and Beth Schilling. I eventually
found most of them but it wasn't easy. It wasn't that the ducks were difficult
to find but that their location was due to all the construction and confusing
signage. I eventually got to everywhere I set out for but only after 3 or 4
U-turns and backtracking.
The ducks are in the headwaters just above the dam. The easiest way to see them
is to follow the signs for the marina, turn right in the marina's parking lot,
go past Calhoun's and continue to the very last parking area. From there it's a
short walk on a paved sidewalk to a nice little circle with a bench. The ducks
were fairly close and could be viewed even without a scope but I had mine
along. There were so many, actively diving, and the wind was strong so I didn't
even attempt to count them.
The numbers in parentheses were from the more conscientious observers two days
prior: redheads (197), scaup (70 lesser, 40 greater). Like I say, lots of
ducks. I did not find the 8 Canvasbacks nor 2 White-winged Scoters the others
had but I did see at least 3 Ruddy Ducks that weren't reported previously.
Several hundred Ring-billed Gulls but I didn't check the gulls closely so the 3
immature Herring Gulls may still be there.
Carole Gobert
Knox County
