On my way to work this morning (10/1/04) I stopped at Pennyfield Lock for a
bit of birding.

I was surprised by seeing a Common Merganser in the C&O Canal by itself.
It was either an immature male or an adult male in eclipse plumage.

As the bird was either reluctant or unable to fly I think that it was in
eclipse plumage.  At a certain point it lifted most of its body out of the
water and flexed its wings.  They did not seem to be pinioned or to have had
the flight feathers cut.  But the feathers seemed a bit short, as if they
were still growing.

The Potomac was very high and it would be either a short flight or a short
walk for the bird to reach the Canal.


Dalcio Dacol
Poolesville, MD