I stopped by Riverbend Park this afternoon about 3:30 to see what was on the
river.
I was surprised, and pleased, to find at least six, maybe seven, male
Red-breasted mergansers and at least two female Red-breasted mergansers on the
Potomac, right in front of the boat launch, easily viewable in the bright
sunshine. At one point there were five male and two female Red-breasteds, in a
line, swimming slowly up river, about 50 yards offshore.
This was by far the largest number of Red-breasted mergansers I had ever seen
at Riverbend.
I also scanned the Maryland shore with my scope from the boat launch, and found
12 male and nine female Wood ducks.
There were also a few remaining Ring-necked ducks, Bufflehead, and Common
mergansers.
The bluebells are now up all over the park with a few buds, and a couple of
flowers. They should soon be in their full glory there.
Earlier this morning, I was at Lake Fairfax Park, where I did NOT find the
White-wing crossbills, but did have nice looks at multiple Pine Siskins,
Red-breasted nuthatches, and a couple of bright yellow Pine warblers in the
bright sunshine.
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Virginia
Sent from my iPad
