VA Birders,
Last Monday morning, Joanna Taylor and I went to Lake Audubon in Reston to
look for the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. We did not find it. Then on
Thursday morning, I went back after rush hour to look for it again, this time
on the private part of the road, following Stephen Eccles' directions. Another
birder was also there, and we chatted for a while but saw no ducks in the yard
with the feeders. Then the owner of the property, Charles Tack (PLEASE NOTE:
THIS IS THE CORRECT SPELLING OF HIS NAME FOR ANYONE WHO IS SENDING A REPORT TO
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, VIRGINIA BIRDS, OR ANY OTHER PUBLICATION; HE SAID SOMEONE
HAD SPELLED IT WRONG IN SOME REPORT), who is the duck's host and photographer,
came over and chatted with us. He said that, in this hot weather, the ducks
are only showing up very early in the morning. They arrive around 6:00 am and
leave by 7:00 or 7:30 am. I planned to go this morning, before writing this
report, but I decided it was just too hot, so I may try again next week if the
weather is better.
If anyone goes to look for this duck, please put a report on VA-Bird, or
send me a note if you prefer. Thanks.
Good birding,
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
