I made a rather quick circuit around Occoquan Bay NWR this afternoon. In the
waters off the gazebo a flock of about 20 northern rough-winged swallows hunted
over the water, my first of the spring. Sill many waterfowl along Deephole Pt.
Rd., but mostly gadwall, coot, and lesser scaup. Also seen were quite a few
horned grebes close to the shore, providing many good photo ops. Also close to
shore were a number of red-breasted mergansers and ruddy ducks. One of the
ruddies was a male in breeding plumage. I can't get enough of that powder blue
bill. Out in Belmont Bay were 4 Bonaparte's gulls sitting in the water. Two
snipe flew out of the marsh. Two common egrets were in the marsh along the
Wildlife Drive. A kestrel was perched on a small tree near the parking lot.
Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge
