Ack! Looks like I missed it by 15 minutes! See below.
Willie
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of tanager57
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 7:48 PM
To: GenesseeBirds
Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Black-Bellied Whistling Duck - YES!
Jim Landau and I capped off a rather quiet day of birding with reasonably
good looks at the BBWD in it's usual location at TWMA. It was our third and
final attempt of the day to see this bird.
The duck was finally spotted around 1:30 PM resting quietly on the back side
of a rather open area of marsh, just where the cattail reeds started to get
thick. It wasn't an unobstructed view, but the duck was seen well enough to
note the key field marks. Jim and I were standing about 20-30 yards west of
the first utility pole that is east of the concrete culvert (with the
guardrail), looking in a westerly direction. (I hope that's not too
confusing!)
The duck was resting on a small mound of debris, with the head erect.
Gradually, it began to close it's eyes and and start to bring it's head
down, but the noise of a passing vehicle would bring it to alert status
again. At one point, the duck peered up at passing biplane overhead.
Eventually, the duck settled in for a nap and tucked it's head on it's side,
occasionally raising it's head from time to time. In the hour or so we
watched the bird, it did not move except for it's head. We we left the area
about 2:30, it was resting with it's head tucked on it's side.
Unfortunately, no other birders we around during this time.
Jim Wojewodzki
Holland, NY
Previously posted directions:
The BBWD was on NY 77, in a roadside marsh about 200 yards northwest of the
Cayuga Pool Overlook (Iroquois NWR). NY 77 is a north-south highway that
travels NW in the area of the refuge. Thus, the reason for the sometimes
confusing directions. In any case, if you are heading north on Rt 77,
Iroquois NWR and Cayuga Pool overlook are on your right and Tonawanda WMA is
on your left. Note that there is an exit for Rt 77 from the NYS Thruway.
The duck was on the Tonawanda WMA side of the road and likes to stay hidden
in the cattails.
Good birding and stay safe out there. The trucks really move through the
area.
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