There was an interesting sprinkle of diving ducks at some ponds in 
Montgomery County this morning, December 21:

At Lake Placid (off Route 28, Darnestown Rd.) The previously reported 
Long-tailed Duck was not in evidence, and the pond had just 4 
Ring-necked Duck drakes and a hen Bufflehead.

There were more Ring-necked Ducks and a drake REDHEAD at the nearby 
Lake Nirvana.

Inspiration Lake, another nearby lake, had a second drake REDHEAD in 
with some Ruddy Ducks and a single hen Hooded Merganser.

Gunner's Lake in Germantown had at least 35 HOODED MERGANSER, 20-25 
Ring-necked Ducks (all males), and some Ruddy Duck too far away to 
count properly. (There is a paved path around this lake but I didn't 
have time to walk it.)

Lastly, at the boat launch area of Clopper Lake, within Seneca Creek 
State Park, there was a small group of ducks including Bufflehead, 
Ring-necked Duck, and 2 LESSER SCAUP.

With more cold weather on the way and really nasty stuff to our 
north, these medium to large size, deep ponds will bear watching for 
the possible arrival of rarer waterfowl between now and the end of the year.

Mike Bowen
Bethesda

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom