The walk started out wet and foggy, but got better as the morning progressed.
A surprising half dozen birders joined me for today's walk. The water levels on
the Potomac were very high, perhaps explaining the total lack of dabblers,
except Mallards. There were good numbers of divers though, and a total of 45
Red-breasted Mergansers signified that spring migration has officially
commenced. So put away those winter coats and gloves! No Red-necked Grebes
were seen, but 5 Horned Grebes gave great views. Species diversity was
horrible today- no raptors and I couldn't buy a goldfinch! The best passerine
of the day was a Hermit Thrush, foraging right on the shoreline along the
boardwalk practically at the end of the peninsula.
Rich Rieger decided to make another attempt to up the count and last I saw him
was walking pack to the picnic area, brand new scope in hand, to look for the
Red-necked Grebe reported a few days ago. Hopefully he will get back to us with
good news!
Today's count
Horned Grebe- 5
Great Blue Heron- 12
Canada Goose- 400
Mallard- 39
Ring-necked Duck- 1 (Firestone)
Lesser Scaup- 17
Bufflehead- 9
Hooded Merganser- 2
Common Merganser- 216
Red-breasted Merganser- 45 (mostly drakes)
Ruddy Duck- 78
American Coot- 425
Ring-billed Gull- 145
Herring Gull- 13
Great Black-backed Gull- 6
Rock Dove- 12
Mourning Dove- 14
Belted Kingfisher- 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker- 6
Downy Woodpecker- 1
Hairy Woodpecker- 1
Northern Flicker- 2
Blue Jay- 3
American Crow- 6
Carolina Chickadee- 17
Tufted Titmouse- 7
Carolina Wren- 8
Hermit Thrush- 1
American Robin- 6
Gray Catbird- 1 (still at Dead Beaver Beach)
Northern Mockingbird- 2
European Starling- 120
Eastern Towhee- 2
Song Sparrow- 2
White-throated Sparrow- 10
Northern Cardinal- 13
Red-winged Blackbird- 50
House Finch- 1 (singing like its spring!)
House Sparrow- 2
Larry Cartwright
acartwright@xxxxxxxxx
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