I apologize if this is the second version of this email - my email is acting up
this morning.
I went out on Friday to see what ducks remained from the massive duck fallout
that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday west of the Blue Ridge. Many of the
unusual species that were seen (Tundra Swans in large numbers, Common Loons,
White-winged Scoters) had already departed. I headed up to Willow Lake near
Raphine VA (exit 205 on I-81) to see what ducks were there. At Willow Lake
there were approximately 150 ducks. Ruddy Ducks were the most common. There
also Hooded Mergansers (10), Ring-necked Ducks (15), Greater Scaup (4),
Mallards, Northern Shovelers (2), Pied-billed Grebes (5), Horned Grebes (6),
Canada Geese, American Coots (perhaps 30), Gadwall (10), a Great Blue Heron, a
Bonaparte's Gull, and a herd of 8 deer with an 8 pointer (see photo on Flickr).
I drove a few of the back roads near Brownsburg (New Providence, McElwee, Hyde
and Ridge Rds) looking for Harriers and other birds. I found White-crowned
Sparrows (common), Mockingbirds, lots and lots of crows, WB Nuthatches,
White-throated Sparrows, 3 Ravens, 3-4 Harriers, and I heard Horned Larks and
had a small flock of Am. Pipits fly over me.
I've up-loaded a few photos onto my Flickr site if you are interested in seeing
them:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmibiology/
Dick Rowe
VMI Biology Dept
