Hello VA-Birders:
I was delighted to see 20 American Coots on the Potomac River in front of the
Riverbend Park visitor center when I was there this afternoon. Several years
ago, dozens of coots used to arrive on this part of the river in mid or late
October, but then the numbers dwindled and last year I saw only one during the
entire winter season.
The coots were the only newcomers I saw in my quick walk along the river today.
Three Pied-billed Grebes (2 at Riverbend and 1 below the Aqueduct Dam at Great
Falls Park) arrived several weeks ago, and two male Ring-necked Ducks (who
today were swimming below the dam) have been residing in the area since last
May, molting out of and, now, back into breeding plumage.
Dorothy Tella
McLean, VA
