Today, 3/1/15, Chris Myers and I traveled to the Flat Creek/Silva Creek section of Douglas Lake in Sevier County. This is one of the more favorable spots for waterbirds and waterfowl; because of its remote nature, it is often less visited by boaters and recreationists, especially in winter (this was the location where Red-necked Grebe was found last March). Today we found 4 Common Mergansers , 3 males and one female, observed northwest from the boat launch at the end of Smokey Mountain Queen Road. They were probably .3 - .4 mile away and part of the time it was raining, but when the wind and rain slacked, we had great views through the spotting scope. I tried a few photos and two of the better ones are attached. The quality is poor, but the identification is unmistakable. This species was a life bird for Chris and a Sevier County first for me. Keith Watson Pittman Center, TN
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