Today's (Sunday, November 29, 2009) field trip to Piscataway Park,
Prince George's county found approximately 65 species of birds including
3 species of grebes and fourteen species of waterfowl (ducks, geese and
swans).  Of particular note were the continuing EARED GREBE, an early
Red-breasted Merganser and two interesting wigeon.  

One, an adult American Wigeon was in that unusual plumage where the
white of its forehead extends down over most of its cheek and throat
surrounding its green ear patch.  

The second was a bird sporting a female-type plumage.  It differed from
the numerous female American Wigeon by having somewhat rusty, though
splotchy sides and a distinctly rusty head and neck.  In my book, that
strongly suggests Eurasian Wigeon but none of us had enough prior
experience with this plumage to feel comfortable calling it.  We waited
for about an hour but it never lifted its wings.  I know female Eurasian
Wigeons can lack this rusty color but can an American Wigeon ever show
it?  And what about hybrids?  I got a couple of poor images; I hope Tom
did better.  I would be grateful if someone with more experience
relocates this bird and identifies it for us.

My estimate of waterbird numbers; perhaps at least a couple of these are
within a factor of two of reality.

Common Loon        1
Pied-billed Grebe 10
Horned Grebe       1
EARED GREBE        1
DC Cormorant      10
Great Blue Heron  10
Tundra Swan      4
Canada Goose   250
Black Duck      15
Mallard        120
Shoveler         3
Gadwall        250
American Wigeon 75
Wigeon Sp ?      1
Redhead          1
Ring-necked Duck 100
Lesser Scaup    15
Bufflehead      25
Hooded Merganser 2
RB Merganser     1
Ruddy Duck     500
Laughing Gull   25
Ring-billed Gull 150
Herring Gull      30
Great Black-backed Gull 1

Thanks to everyone for turning out -- 20 eyes sure makes birding an area
like this a lot easier.

Dave

-- 
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook Engineering


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