Fellow birders,  

 

                Highlights of my and a friend's visit to Riley's Lock on the
C&O Canal this morning included two Red-necked, at least 10 Horned and at
least 6 Pied-billed Grebes, two White-winged Scoters,  consisting of adult
and first-winter males, a singing Winter Wren, which was located just to the
left of the bridge over the canal as you approach the picnic area, Wood
Ducks on the other side of the C & O Canal from the picnic area and a
singing Eastern Phoebe. When we were there both Red-necked Grebes were in a
group with eight Horned Grebes, which provided a good opportunity to compare
these species. Highlights of a short walk at Hughes Hollow included at least
6 Rusty Blackbirds, numerous Tree Swallows and several Red-headed
Woodpeckers. Waterfowl here consisted of several Wood Ducks perched in
trees, 15 or so Ring-necked Ducks, one Green-winged Teal, three Hooded
Mergansers, including at least one calling male, and several Canada Geese.
One American Coot also was present, as was a repeatedly-calling Pied-billed
Grebe which we were never able to locate. 

 

Gerry Hawkins

Arlington, VA