At Huntley this morning, things were quite quiet but the usual selection of
shorebirds were on display with 15 or so each of Spotted and Solitary
Sandpipers and maybe 10 Least.
Swallows included several Bank Swallows.
At least 5 Green Herons were on display at the edge of the marsh.
On the water two Hooded Mergansers, juv. Pied-Billed Grebe and a single Black
Duck were present.
Two female Wood Duck were seen with young chicks, the first with 8 and the
second with 9.
On closer inspection the second brood included two Hooded Merganser chicks the
same size (and presumaby age) as the 7 Wood Duckings. Presumably these two were
as result of the 'egg dumping' by a Hooded Merg in the Wood Duck nest. All
ducklings behaving exactly the same way, staying bery clode to the feamle as
she moved around in front of the observation platform
It will be intesting how (and if) the ducklings survive.
Huntley Meadows can be found on Lockheed Blvd, off Route 1
Rob Young
Alexandria, VA
