Hello all
This morning I got a late start but it was well worth it . With the Artic
blast we got here in Augusta County over night( 5 degrees with wind chill -
4 at my house this morning before sun rise ) , most all of the ponds &
small lakes were frozen over . This makes for what water ways that are open
interesting .
All of Bells Lane ponds were frozen except for the back pond which had a
good number of Canada's & Mallard's to keep section open . This pond is off
limits to all except for a couple of birders who know the owners . Next
place is the Quarry Pond behind the Sheetz in Fishersville . The owners
welcome birders but follow the rules by staying on the path & do not walk to
the edges that are not fenced off . The Invista ponds are open & a small
pond at the intersection of Rt. 608 & 796 is open . Stopped by McCune's &
it was totally frozen . But in the corn field I found 6 Snow Geese of which
2 were Blue phased & 8 Ross's Geese . They took off & I found the 6 Snow & 3
of the Ross's at the Quarry pond . Below is a list of Waterfowl seen today
.
GWF GOOSE -- 2 AT QUARRY
SNOW GOOSE -- 6 REFOUND AT QUARRY
ROSS'S GOOSE -- 8 REFOUND 3 AT QUARRY
CACKLING GOOSE -- 12 QUARRY
CANADA GOOSE -- 1500 + THRU OUT AUGUSTA COUNTY
GADWALL --101
AM . WIGEON -- 7
AM. BLACK DUCK -- 21
MALLARD -- 207
N. SHOVELER -- 2
N PINTAIL -- 3
GW TEAL -- 15
REDHEAD -- 10
RING - NECKED DUCK -- 15
LESSER SCAUP -- 2
BUFFLEHEAD -- 1
HOODED MERGANSER -- 23
RUDDY DUCK -- 25
AM . COOT -- 18
Allen Larner
Staunton
