Hi Mike,
 This is interesting to me. This pond used to be very active in the winter months, but for the past several years waterfowl activity has been dwindling. I don't really see anything "externally" that might cause this. It used to be a very good pond to check for diving ducks especially
, so perhaps there is less SAV for them to eat. I know that about a half dozen years ago the homeowners around the pond began posting more No Trespassing signs, etc. so maybe they have done something to alter the ponds ecology as well. Used to see Hooded Mergs, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, Ruddy's, etc.there all the time Tundra Swans and a winter Bonie have showed up there as well...

The loss of the old farm pond near the entrance to what is now the Blue Mash golf course, along Rt. 108 many years ago made this pond all the better. Too bad it's in decline now.

Thanks for the update though. My daughter and I are supposed to cover Blue Mash and the landfill for the Triadelphia CBC next weekend. Maybe the Yellowthroat will stick around.

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD

The "Zion Road Pond," opposite the entrance road to the Rachel Carson Conservation Park, was completely open but no waterfowl were visible on it either. 
 





-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Bowen <>
To: 
Sent: Fri, Dec 11, 2009 1:49 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blue Mash Nature Trail, 12/11/09


We spent an increasingly cold and windy morning today at the Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County. The strong wind and below freezing temperatures kept the birds down and our sparrow tally -- 8 Song, 4 White-throated and 1 Fox -- was way below expectations. The pond on the landfill property had 11 Ring-necked Ducks (all but one a drake) and was already 80% frozen. The other pond, close to Zion Rd., was 90+% open, but had nothing on it. The "Zion Road Pond," opposite the entrance road to the Rachel Carson Conservation Park, was completely open but no waterfowl were visible on it either. 
 
Most unexpected sighting of the morning at Blue Mash was a young male Common Yellowthroat, looking thoroughly frozen, by the chain link fence that separates the main trail from the old landfill. 
 
Mike and Joy Bowen 
Montgomery Bird Club, MOS 
Bethesda, MD 
 
D.H. Michael Bowen 
8609 Ewing Drive 
Bethesda, MD 20817 
Telephone: (301) 530-5764 
e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom 
 
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