Doris and I were at Hughes Hollow about noon and saw a female hooded
merganser, probably the one seen very recently by Howard Youth. It called
attention to itself by strolling across the road separating the two
impoundments near the gate and then paddling purposely east along the east
impoundment edge, possibly to one of the several wood duck nest boxes Isaac
Walton box tenders told us have nesting mergansers. I note the method of
locomotion, apparently walking and paddling preferred to flying. So hooded
mergansers breed here in agreement with the yellow book? (but not in great
numbers). But what about common merganser? There have been several
Osprey reports recently of sightings, like three near Offuts Island. Are they
breeding here? The May 1996 yellow book shows that to be unlikely.
Otherwise at Hughes Hollow: lots of vocalizing Indigo Buntings. The bear
tracks still clearly visible but unchanged adjacent to the north going spur off
Hunting Quarter Road at the second Hunting Quarter road parking.
Phil Brody |