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Subject:

Montgomery County waterfowl, January 25

From:

Michael Bowen

Reply-To:

Michael Bowen

Date:

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:15:54 -0500

Having some business near Damascus (Montgomery County, not Syria) 
this morning, I decided to visit the Blue Mash Nature Trail on the 
way north and Black Hill Regional Park/Little Seneca Lake on the 
return journey.

Passerines were hard to find because of the strong winds, but 
waterfowl could be found, particularly in sheltered coves.

Highlights:

At Blue Mash, both ponds had about 20 RING-NECKED DUCK on them.  The 
pond  nearest Zion Rd. had in addition 4 REDHEAD (2 drakes, 2 hens), 
6 BUFFLEHEAD, and 3 HOODED MERGANSER

At Black Hill, on Little Seneca Lake there were 4 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 
100+ COMMON MERGANSER, 60 BUFFLEHEAD, and 40 RUDDY DUCK.

There wasn't much near the 121 bridge, but a close-knit group of 8 
PIED-BILLED GREBES caught the eye.  This is the area where 2 Eared 
Grebes showed up last winter.

 From the Ten Mile Creek trail in Black Hill, ducks seen in the 
water, which was sheltered here, included BUFFLEHEAD, RING-NECKED 
DUCK, MALLARD, BLACK DUCK and a group of 60 CANVASBACK. A large group 
of Common Mergansers flushed away before I could see them well enough to count.

The water at the extreme north end of the lake near the boat ramp was 
also sheltered and held 100+ AMERICAN COOT and 4 GADWALL.

The creek area to the north of Black Hill Rd. (the road within the 
park that runs from the boat ramp past the police headquarters) was 
partly out of the wind.  Together with numerous White-throated 
Sparrows, House Finches and Juncos, there were two CHIPPING SPARROWS. 
This area runs north just across the road from the north terminus of 
the new Hoyes Mill trail.

Good Birding.

Mike Bowen
Bethesda


D.H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817-3845
Tel/fax:  301-530-5764
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