During my morning walk at Schoolhouse Pond today, I had a group of 16 Ruddy Ducks. Also present was the continuing Blue-winged Teal and two flyover Bald Eagles. The teal appears to have an injured wing, which often is held at an odd angle. I first noticed this about two weeks ago. During the summer the bird appeared to be fine and I saw it in flight several times. However, over the last few weeks the bird seems much more likely to be seen in the open, appears less mobile, and seems to have the problem with the wing.
Over the last several weeks, I have had large groups of Laughing Gulls flying over Schoolhouse Pond during my lunchtime walk, averaging 250 to 300 during each 20 or 25 minute walk. The vast majority of the birds were flyovers, with very few stopping on the pond. Today I decided to go over to Depot Pond to see if the birds were stopping at these locations. The gulls weren't there either (although they were flying overhead), but I did have groups of Ruddy Ducks at both locations, as well as some other waterfowl. Depot Pond East (behind Home Depot) had 26 Ruddy Ducks, one Northern Shoveler, and 3 American Coots. Depot Pond West had 10 Ruddy Ducks, 5 Northern Shovelers, 3 American Coots, and 4 Pied-billed Grebes. Also present was one female American Wigeon.
When I arrived back at the office, I confirmed that the Ruddy Ducks were also still present at Schoolhouse Pond; meaning that there were a combined 52 Ruddy Ducks at the three locations, which seems to be a pretty decent number for the small Upper Marlboro ponds. Good birding,
Fred Shaffer
<GlaucousGull...>
Crofton, Anne Arundel
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