Montgomery county birding
Warblerick@aol.com
Sat, 6 Feb 1999 19:17:32 EST
Did some local "ponds" this morning finding the following:
Laytonsville pond had just Canada Geese, some Ring-necked Ducks and a few
Green-winged Teal.
Zion Pond held a great assortment, including Canada Geese, 5 Tundra Swans (3
adults and 2 immatures), Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, a single American
Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 2 Mallards, 2 Am. Black Ducks, a single Hooded Merganser
male, about 15 REDHEADS (last week about 20), a single male CANVASBACK
(gorgeous, and rather uncommon on this pond), and a handful of American Coots.
Also in the woods behind, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk catching something
small on the ground, and being harrassed by a mocker.
Brighton Dam had lots of Common Mergansers(60 or so) and a single male RED-
BREASTED MERGANSER, along wih Ring-billed , Herring and Great Black-backed
Gull, and 2 Great Blue Herons.
Driving towards the intersection of Rt. 650 and Rt. 97 in Sunshine, I saw an
accipiter fly through a flock of Mourning Doves and across the road. It landed
in a tree above me as I drove by, so I pulled over and got out for a look. It
was an adult Cooper's Hawk, scanning the doves feeding on the ground across
the street. Beautiful!
Later I had to go by my shop in Silver Spring (around 2:15 P.M.) and saw that
the MERLIN was perched in the tulip tree across the road. Luckily I had my
good scope, and quickly set it up. My wife and both kids and I all got
"killer" looks at this bird (adult male), first at 40X and then at 60X.
Shortly, a crow landed on a snag only feet away, and began to harrass the
merlin. It would fly up and swoop down on the falcon, but the hawk would
simply duck in its' head with each pass, looking more annoyed than anything
else. Eventually the crow gave up and flew off, and we left too, but the
merlin was still perched there when we left. It is really a handsome bird!
Rick Sussman
Ashton, MD
Warblerick@aol.com
Tuesday AM phone 301-589-4848