Along with the requisite flocks of Canadian Geese, there was a wonderful
variety of different waterfowl in the ponds in Ashburn, earlier today (3 -
5 pm, Nov. 29). It appears that the freezing-up of some of the shallower
ponds in the area had caused the waterfowl to congregate in many of the
larger ponds - close to the road, making for easy sightings - even from the
car.
I was driving up Ashburn Village Blvd, towards Rt. 7. In the first pond
that I visited - between Waxpool and Farmwell Rds - I saw a pair of
Mergansers (probably Common Mergansers), along with a flock of ~15 Hooded
Mergansers (males and females). Also hidden among the Hooded Mergansers was
a single Bufflehead. In the next pond (along Tippecanoe Terr.), there was a
flock of ~30 ring-necked ducks. Following that, in the large lake adjacent
to the Ashburn Sports Pavillion, there was a pair of Buffleheads, as well
as a pair of Goldeneyes, all of them diving for food (There were some other
waterfowl, as well, that appeared to be Mergansers, but at a distance that
made them difficult to identify).
Finally, in the pond at the intersection of Claiborne Pkwy and Gloucester
Pkwy, there was a flock of Mallard ducks (males and females), as well as a
flock of ~20 Northern Shovelers (male and female), which were spending most
of their time dabbling at the surface of the water.
I have seen most of these species before, in these ponds (except for the
Shoveler ducks), but it was the first time that I saw all these different
varieties at the same time and in such large numbers. A pleasant surprise,
following on from Thanksgiving.
Arjun Bharioke
