Took my weekly core count today--first checking the main 
impoundments, then walking along Hunting Quarter Rd to the middle parking 
lot, then through the fields to the towpath, west to Horsepen Hiker Biker 
and then back to the impoundments.
      The main thing I was curious about this year was the effect of last 
year's drought on the spring duck migration.  The large impoundment was 
completely dry last fall which allowed for growth of huge mats of herbaceous 
vegetation,  This winter the impoundment gradually filled up again and then 
recent flooding returned water levels to normal.   The answer to my question 
was really simple--ducks put quite a show this month with record numbers of 
Ring-necked Ducks (maximum count 700), and for this area, good numbers of 
Canvasbacks (11) and Redheads (11).  All together I had 14 species of 
waterfowl.
     Today most of the ring-necks were gone - saw only 6, but also saw 9 
Blue-winged Teal, a Green-winged Teal, 18 Wood Ducks, and 2 Hooded 
Mergansers.
     Other ducks of interest on the Potomac (before boats chased them away), 
were 30  Bufflehead, 4 Hooded Mergansers, and 7 Red-breasted Mergansers.
     Highlight of the day was an AMERICAN BITTERN in a cattail marsh near 
the towpath (see my account in the Montgomery Co Site Guide for detail 
directions)  and 4 Wilson's Snipe in the same area.
     Landbirds were scarce but I saw 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets and finally a 
decent number of phoebes (5).  Also found a flock of 50 Rusty Blackbirds.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA