I stopped at Burke Lake this morning and found Red-necked Grebes at two
locations. There were 10 near the south end (public boat launch entrance,
closest open water to the dam), and at least 13 to the north of the boat
rentals area. Several of them were molting into alternate plummage and most
had at least some white in their cheek patches.
Also there were a substantial number of scaup (a quick survey of one group
showed mostly Lesser, but at least one Greater), about ten Canvasbacks and one
Ring-necked Duck. I saw all three mergansers including one group of a dozen
Red-breasted. There were small groups of Buffleheads wherever there was open
water and I had one pair of Common Goldeneye. There was a large flock of Ruddy
Ducks (50+). For the dabblers I had only one Mallard and a pair of American
Wigeon.
Besides the Red-necked Grebes there were 3 or 4 Pied-billed Grebes and one very
strange looking bird that I took to be a Horned Grebe. Body-size, head and
bill shape matched Horned, but the plumage was extremely light. The back was
light gray, flanks, breast, neck and most of the face were white. The was a
trace of a cap, a definite streak of dark feathers down the middle back neck,
and possibly a narrow dark eye-stripe. The cap did not come down to the eye as
would be normal in a basic plummaged Horned Grebe. I'd certainly like to hear
what others think of this bird.
There were a small number of Coots, many Ring-billed Gulls on the ice, and
several Herring Gulls. Great Blue Herons were very active - there were
probably 5 or 6 flying around.
Finally, I had a nice pair of Bald Eagles circling in unison over the center of
the lake.
Dave Larsen
Clifton, VA
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