On Saturday, the birds were lively at dawn and dusk, but unfortunately a little
slow in between. I started the day at the Gum Swamp area of Blackwater,
hoping for the Barred Owl reported by Harry Armistead. Instead, I was
treated to 2 Great Horned Owls and 6 Eastern Screech-owls.
I ended the day at Tuckahoe SP in Caroline County. The swampy area of the
lake was full of Canada Geese and Mallards, but also American Coots (10),
Hooded Mergansers (8), and Wood Ducks (12). A Great Horned Owl started
calling shortly before sundown. I later heard an American Woodcock
displaying on Cherry Lane.
I spent the morning on Hooper Island without seeing most of the interesting
the birds reported the previous two weekends. I missed the doves for a
second time, all the goldeneyes were Common (6), and all the shorebirds were
Dunlin (60). I did see 4 Northern Gannets and a Brown Pelican, which allowed
me to complete the pelican sweep later at Blackwater.
In the afternoon, driving through Caroline County, I saw a Ring-necked Duck
and 2 Hooded Mergansers on Williston Lake. The Denton sewage ponds had 2
female Buffleheads, 2 Ruddy Ducks, and 2 Ring-necked Ducks.
John Hubbell
Washington DC |