Following Stephen Eccles' directions from the message below, I arrived at the
path/stairway right around 6 a.m. this morning and saw the BBWD immediately
upon arrival. It was swimming alone just off shore, then joined by 2 Wood
Ducks, and then about 8 Mallards. They seem to be getting along just fine.
After about 15 or 20 minutes most of the birds came to the back yard 2 houses
over (on the left as descending the hill) affording great looks, as the BBWD
perched atop a telephone/cable junction post for a good long time. Harsh
morning backlighting made photography challenging, but I posted a few decent
shots at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28499865@N07/sets/72157624577388850/.
Dave Boltz
Alexandria/Fairfax Co.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Eccles" <stephendeccles@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "VA Ornithological Society listserve" <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 5:03 PM
Subject: [Va-bird] YES on Black-bellied Whistling-Duck in Reston.
I went this afternoon in search of a land-based view and was successful.
Detailed instructions are below. But first some words of caution, as private
property is involved.
The duck comes to a specific lake-side garden several times a day, as the
owner has bird-feeders up, to which feral mallards regularly come
for scraps. For the past 10 days the Whistling-Duck has also appeared. While
the two duck species tolerate each other, they do not move together. For
example, while I was there, the mallards flew away leaving the W-Duck alone.
It later flew (very weakly) to the water and pottered around. The W-Duck has
been seen all over the lake, *so the best way of finding it is still from a
canoe*.
That having been said, I have spoken to the property owners most directly
concerned. They live in a cluster development, access to which is down a
private road. Between their two homes, there is a path/stairway down to a
private dock. From half-way down that path/stairway, you can see into the
garden where the ducks feed. The owners are sympathetic to (but scared by)
the idea of lots of birders invading their area. The one who owns the
feeders is particularly anxious that people viewing the bird do not scare it
away, so he asks that we are all as quiet and slow-moving as we can be. That
having been said, we are all welcome to come down the private road and go
down the path/stairway towards the dock. PLEASE DO NOT GO OFF THIS
PATH/STAIRWAY (which is community-owned) OR OTHERWISE STRAY ON TO PRIVATE
PROPERTY. Parking space is limited, so please take care not to block any
residential access.
The path/stairway leads off Cabots Point Lane, Reston, between houses 2133
and 2135. Cabots Point Lane leads south off South Lakes Road, becoming a
Private Road about half-way towards these houses.
Good viewing!
Stephen Eccles
