Hi Everybody:
Last evening (3/12) was the third of four evening bird walks that I lead
for the Montgomery County Bird Club. Unlike the previous two this
one allowed us to move at more of a liesurely pace due to the additional
hour provided by Daylight Savings Time.
As usual, we started at 5 PM on the bridge overlooking the Potomac River
at Riley's Lock. Both PIED-BILLED (3) and HORNED GREBES (5) were present.
We had a drake RED-BREASTED MERGANSER almost directly across from us the
entire time we were there. Despite its presence the entire time very few
people were able to get a scope view of the merganser. It was literally
diving continuously; once it would resurface it was back down within 5-10
seconds. There was an Eastern Phoebe that entertained us with its song and
chip notes and reminded us that spring is indeed just around the corner.
Just north of the water intake on the Virginia side in a not-so-tall tree
we scoped 3 immature BALD EAGLES and then also had a fourth one (this one
an adult) fly past the perched ones.
We then moved onto Hughes Hollow where Red-winged Blackbirds and Tree
Swallow (at least 15) continue to be increasing in numbers since last week.
Waterfowl in the impoundments included AMERICAN WIGEON (2), RING-NECKED
DUCKS (15) and HOODED MERGANSERS (4). All of the above ducks were also seen
in flight along with at least a dozen WOOD DUCKS. The GREAT EGRET reported
earlier (I believe it was by Lydia Schindler) made a brief appearance
before flying off. We also were entertained by an OSPREY that glided
liesurely over the eastern impoundment before moving on. We heard a BARRED
OWL call once.
Our last stop of the evening was again successful as we both saw and heard
AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displaying in the fields adjacent to Sycamore Landing
and River Roads. We heard our first "Peent" at 7:25 and our last one at
7:55 PM. I estimated 4 different birds with numerous displays including at
least 6 displays by a bird that was taking off and landing very close to us.
One other interesting observation during our woodcock observation: About
7:30 PM (still somewhat decent amount of light) first one woodcock and then
quickly another took off from the ground They were very close to each
other. It appeared like one was chasing the other. They flew up about 50-75
feet and directly over our heads and beelined it towards the tree line to
the south of us and then appeared to quickly drop to the ground. I had
never seen this behavior before and thought it was both unusual and
interesting. I was always under the impression that the displays that are
seen are the males that are practicing their mating displays and was
wondering if possibly this may have been a female that had been chased.
Despite the hard rain yesterday it was a nice but cool.evening to be out.
Jim Green
Gaithersburg, MD
work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS !!!
P.S. I have one more scheduled walk remaining...Tuesday, March 19th...meets
at 5 PM on the bridge overlooking the Potomac River at the end of Riley's
Lock Road...all are welcome...any questions...301-742-0036
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