Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 15:25:36 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: John Hubbell Subject: Georgetown Reservoir, DC, 12/8 (RB Mergansers) Three Red-breasted Mergansers were a nice surprise at Georgetown Reservoir around 2 pm today. Three male Bufflehead also joined the usual Ring-necks, Pied-billed Grebes, and female Canvasback. I believe there was also a female Long-tailed Duck on the reservoir. This bird stayed farther away from the road and was difficult to see in the drizzle and poor light. What I could see was a white face, dark under the face, white neck, white along the waterline, dark back. I couldn't really see the bill. The bird was actively diving while I was watching. My main hesitation is that the dark cheek area didn't seem as patch- or spot-like as most of the field guides show. The adult winter female illustrated on p. 97 of Sibley was the best match I could find. John Hubbell Chevy Chase, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================