I thoroughly enjoyed leading another group of eager birders up and
around the lake today. The idea was, of course, was to work on ID
skills, but also to introduce them to (or remind them of) the great
locations at the north end of the lake. We worked hard on ducks and
swans and assorted field birds - and hit most of the major spots.
Before leaving the Lab at 7:15 this morning we noted Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker drumming, Swamp Sparrow trilling beyond the back parking
lot, and Hooded Merganser on the pond (only one for the day).
As we headed up the lake we had a small flock of Wild Turkeys and
hoped-for-yet-unexpected Ring-necked Pheasant along Rt 90. On Lake
Road, about half way down, we watched and listened to a pair of
Savannah Sparrows with several Eastern Meadowlarks in the background
(and a close one up in a tree) and a foraging Eastern Bluebird.
We scoped Aurora Bay from the boathouse and through the chop got
unsatisfactory looks at a group of Horned Grebes and another group of
Long-tailed Ducks.
Mill Pond in Union Springs was nearly devoid of birds: a few
Buffleheads and one Blue-winged teal (great view!)
Looking out over the pond by the MNWR Visitor's Center we parsed the
various waterfowl: Green- and Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, Northern
Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and Mallards. From the deck we noted
numerous Tree Swallows and an occasional Barn Swallow (no martens
present). At one point we heard, briefly, a Virginia Rail calling from
beyond the western dike. Along the wildlife drive we had distant looks
at Redheads, Canvasbacks, and Ring-necked Ducks. The new shorebird
area held two Greater Yellowlegs. The Dunlins of the past couple weeks
were gone, but there were numerous Savannah Sparrows calling in the
background.
From the tower at Tschache Pool we caught up with Jay and Kevin
McGowan who helped us get on the Eurasian Wigeon and Lesser Black-
backed Gull. Close to the base of the tower was a pair of yellowlegs -
both Greater and Lesser - allowing great comparison between the two.
Mays Point Pool continued to harbor a small flock of Ruddy Ducks as
well as several Pied-billed Grebes and a flock of some 40 Cedar
Waxwings.
Jay and Kevin got to East Road while we were eating lunch and called
to say that there were two Sandhill Cranes on the near shore. We
hurried over and got a great look at them before they took off, flying
almost directly overhead, and disappeared to the west. Otherwise the
impoundment held several dozen Double-crested Cormorants, numerous
Great Blue Herons, and a few scattered ducks.
From there we headed to Railroad Road where we called up an American
Bittern and a very obliging Virginia Rail. We had great looks at the
rail but never saw the bittern. On the way in, along Van Dyne Spoor
Road, we had a small group of Snow Geese. We then checked Morgan Road
(American Kestrel around nest box) and the MAC (Trumpeter Swan on the
south pond) and decided to head back.
Our only stop down the west side of the lake was at Dean's Cove where
a flock of 15 Long-tailed Ducks was spotted close in. Unfortunately,
before anyone else could get on it, the flock took off and flew south,
out of range. The lake was rough with a 10 mph south wind, and we
called it a day, setting our sights on the Creamery.
Altogether, it was a pretty good day! Everyone had new birds for the
year, and some even had life birds.
One further note: on the way to the lab at around 6:30 this morning, I
heard a Winter Wren singing across from the barn.
Bob McGuire
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