This may be of limited interest - but one of the waterfowl tonight at Lake
Fairfax was a very pretty and very cooperative Bar-Headed Goose. It was on the
grass above the fishing dock at the main parking area, with a few Canadas.
I realize it is just an escapee or otherwise introduced, but quite an
interesting and attractive specimen to see up close. A nice study in the
general Anser body form, similar to but smaller than the nearby CAGO.
The lake also held one winter-plumage Red-Necked Grebe, 9 Hooded Merganser, 18
D-C Cormorants, and a couple of common other sp.
This evening we also enjoyed seeing 3 Red-Necks (one well into its breeding
plumage) on Lake Audubon, also in Reston. All three were floating, heads and
necks mostly folded down; but then the breeding plumage individual swam towards
us, dived, and came up with a good sized fish.
In typical diving bird fashion, it spent awhile holding its catch, as we
wondered if the bird could really get that thing down that little mouth and
throat; then in a flash our doubts (and the fish) were completely put to rest.
Steve Johnson
Fairfax, VA
