Potomac Waterfowl: Charles Co. MD
Jlstasz@aol.com
Sun, 24 Jan 1999 19:40:26 EST
Hi Folks!
Today, 24 January, I decided that the rainy and drizzly day was perfect for
waterfowling along the Potomac. It is easy to find places to sit in the dry
car and scope ... and with careful planning, have the open window away from
the wind. The Potomac River is essentially Maryland, not Virginia.
Colonial Beach, Westmoreland Co. VA has a few miles of public road along the
Potomac. Today's Highlights:
Red-throated Loon 2
Common Loon 1
Horned Grebe 35
Double-crested Cormorant 175
Canvasback 250
Lesser Scaup 30
Bufflehead 200
Common Goldeneye 20
Red-breasted Merganser 220
Ruddy Duck 10,000
Bonaparte's Gull 1 immature
Further down river near Popes Creek at the terminus of Rt 624, Westmoreland
Co. VA:
Greater Scaup 60
Bufflehead 15
Common Goldeneye 30
Ruddy Duck 0
I then moved to the Maryland side and viewed from Cobb's I., Charles Co. MD,
which is almost opposite Pope's Creek:
Horned Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Canvasback 1
Greater Scaup 6
White-winged Scoter 2 [a new Charles County bird for me; strangely, no other
scoters at this traditional spot for flocks of Surf Scoter]
Oldsquaw 45
Bufflehead 150
Common Goldeneye 80
Ruddy Duck 0
and finally, the landing at Morgantown, Charles Co. MD, directly opposite
Colonial Beach:
Horned Grebe 3
Tundra Swan 11
Canvasback 0
Redhead 1 male
Greater Scaup 3,000
Bufflehead 20
Ruddy Duck 200
Finally, at sunset along Rt.234 by Allen's Fresh in Charles Co. MD, I tallied
a rather high 29 Northern Harriers and a single Short-eared Owl.
Some day we might have to organize a Potomac River Count. On February 27 there
will be a waterbird survey of the entire Patuxent River, sponsored by the Jug
Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (410)741-9330. The count will include the entire length
in Howard, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Calvert, Charles, and
St. Mary's County. A Potluck Supper and Tally will be held at Jug Bay Wetlands
Sanctuary, Lothian MD on March 13 at 6:30 PM. Volunteers are
needed.....especially if you have a canoe or powered boat!
Good Birding!
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
jlstasz@aol.com