I and a couple of birding friends from Maryland walked for a couple of hours
late this afternoon along the Potomac at Riverbend Park.
There were lots of ducks. Upriver from the visitor center the river was
virtually covered with Ring-necked ducks, and Bufflehead, swimming and flying
around. Downriver from the visitor center there were less ducks, although
there was one very large raft of Ring-necked ducks.
Of most interest, we found four more unusual ducks in the middle of the
river over near the Maryland side. We had a good look at them in the scope,
although it was getting darker, and they were pretty far away. Three of the
four were quite obviously female Common Goldeneye. The fourth was the most
interesting bird of all. It appeared to be a male Common Goldeneye in some sort
of transitional plumage. It appeared not to have a white face patch.
Based on my Sibley, it appeared to be a first winter, male, Common Goldeneye,
with perhaps a little more striping on the top of the body.
Another friend of mine, who is an excellent birder, reported seeing a
Goldeneye at Riverbend on Saturday that looked a little different than normal.
I assume that the bird I saw may have been the same one that he did.
I'm hoping to get a better look at it some other time in better light.
If anyone else should see it, please post as to what you see, and what you
think.
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Virginia
Sent from my iPad
