Following the lead of a charitable Virginian birder, I located my first
Tundra Swans (26 birds) at the gravel pit ponds east of Fredericksburg on
Rte. 3. Also present:
Large numbers of Canada Geese (lesser?), among which was a strikingly
smaller and stubby-billed individual...a Cackling Goose...unfortunately I
failed to bring my spotting scope so wasn't able to scrutinize this bird to
the degree that I would have wished. I've seen Cackling before in Vermont
but only in the presence of Snow Geese and never Canadas, so might there be
diminutive lessers?
2 "Blue" Geese
2 Snow Geese
Ring-necked ducks
Canvasbacks
Redheads
Bufflehead
Gadwall
Ruddy Ducks
American Wigeon
Hooded Mergansers
Mallards
2 Bald Eagles (adults)
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
Horned Lark
among others.
