Greetings from a fellow MDer (on holidays in NH),

Though this listserv is mainly for MD sightings, I
wanted to share a fun experience from the North.

I am visiting my folks in Claremont NH on the
Connecticut River. In the winter I always check out
the Wilder Dam on the Conn R (about a 1/2 hour drive
north).

On the 23d I went to the dam and did not immediately
spot my quest...an eagle (usually at least one hangs
out below the dam in the winter). I began watching a
group of 14 Common Mergansers foraging for fish below
the dam. When one finally surfaced with a fish, an
adult bald eagle swooped down from a pine on the VT
shore. Of course, the mergs dove to escape. The eagle
returned to its perch. Once again, a merg came up with
a fish and, again, the eagle swooped down. What really
tipped off the eagle was all the other mergs chasing
the successful angler. This game went on for several
minutes and finally the frustrated eagle went down
river on its search for food. So, thanks to a gang of
mergansers, I got to see a Bald Eagle.

I've seen lots of Hooded Mergansers in most rivers
I've checked out  the past couple of days.

Merry Christmas to all and I'll be back birding in MD
in a few days.

Steve Noyes
Beltsville, MD      


	
		
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