Surf Scoter on the Potomac
KurtCapt87@aol.com
Wed, 28 Oct 1998 18:40:58 EST
Folks,
Since the accident on the Wilson Bridge slowed the commute to a crawl this
morning, I went looking for ducks. On the GW Parkway, perhaps 5 miles south
of the beltway, on the Virginia side of the river near where Piscataway Creek
empties into the river, is the traditional wintering ground of large numbers
of Lesser Scaup. I came across a group of the Scaup about 0900 today, 28 Oct
98. Scoping the raft of ducks, 3 Ruddys and one imm male Surf Scoter were
spotted. The Scaup appeared to mainly Lesser (but it was a bit rough on the
river so I am not 100% sure all 468 Scaup were Lesser). The wintering
population at this location is typically about 3000 Lesser Scaup and nothing
else.
During lunch from the Belle Haven picnic area in addition to the ducks I
posted last, I spotted 5 Gadwall and out in the channel 6 Bufflehead.
The regular Dyke Marsh walk starts from the Belle Haven picnic area near the
first parking lot on Sundays, 0800. It is free, all are welcome, and we will
have scopes available to spot these birds.
Kurt Gaskill, kurtcapt87@aol.com