There were two geese that I believe are possibly Greater 
White-fronted in with Canada Geese at the Boat Ramp area in the North 
part of Black Hill Regional Park, Montgomery County, at about 10 a.m. 
on December 24.  The geese were hanging out with a group of Canada 
Geese that also contained two all white (obviously domestic type) 
geese.  The lighting was tough, looking right into the sun's glare, 
but I could see dark pink bills and a thin white "surround" at the 
base of the bill of both birds.  I'm not going to speculate as to 
which White-fronted race they might have been. I never saw leg 
color.  There were also 3 Gadwall at this same location.  Park 
personnel have plowed a small parking area across from the boat ramp 
parking lot, which is unplowed and has deep snow still.  The 
flattened areas are very icy and slippery, which will only be made 
worse when it rains.

Perhaps someone will have a chance to check over the waterfowl at 
this location over the next few days.

Little Seneca Lake is practically 100% ice-free, and there's plenty 
of room for additional birds.  Apart from Canada Geese, the most 
common waterfowl were Bufflehead, with 100 or more here and 
there.  Hooded Mergansers were present in small numbers, and I 
spotted 3 Common Mergansers and a single male Common 
Goldeneye.  Ring-necked Duck numbers were much lower than customary 
for this time of year.

The narrow inlet right by Route 121 at the South part of the lake had 
a small group of Ruddy Ducks and American Coots.  Mixed in were 10 
Canvasbacks, half a dozen American Wigeon,  and a lone male Redhead.

Happy Holidays and Good Birding

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda, MD

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

-- I use GoodSearch to benefit the American Birding Association --
http://www.goodsearch.com/