Hi,
I've moved back to the area after an absence of a few years. I aim to revisit
some favorite No. Va. locations in the coming weeks.
A visit to Riverbend Park on Saturday produced large numbers and a good variety
of ducks along the river.
Notable was Ring-necked Duck, the most numerous of the 11 species of ducks and
geese. They were everywhere, I counted over 1000 on my short walk along the
river, mostly males.
Can. Goose, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, Am. Black, Mallard, Redhead (over 100), Gr.
Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merg., Common Merg. were the other waterfowl that
were swimming, flying, diving and loafing. Other waterbirds were Great Blue
Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Am. Coot and Ring-billed Gull.
The woods, edge and meadow held good numbers of typical songbirds and
woodpeckers. 2 COMMON RAVEN were perched in a dead tree across the river. I
later heard one calling on the Va. side.
Happy birding to you,
Scott Baron
Gaithersburg, Md.
