Did a quick survey of Montgomery County waterfowl spots today. Highlights were a male Red-breasted Merganser at Riley's lock, 100 Redheads at Violette's Lock, c. 800 Ring Necks at BHRP, and an American Tree Sparrow at the very soggy Blue Mash nature trail (near where the service road intersects with the fence). Surprisingly low diversity at Triadelphia reservoir -- c. 500 Common Mergansers but only three duck species overall. EBird lists from some of my visits below.

Location:     C&O Canal--Riley's Lock
Observation date:     3/6/10

Canada Goose     8
American Wigeon     6
Ring-necked Duck     4
Greater Scaup     1
Lesser Scaup     10
Bufflehead     25
Common Merganser     5
Red-breasted Merganser     1
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Turkey Vulture     1
Ring-billed Gull     15
Herring Gull     1
American Crow     1
Tufted Titmouse     1
Northern Cardinal     2

Location:     C&O Canal--Violette's Lock
Observation date:     3/6/10

American Wigeon     10
Canvasback     2
Redhead     100
Ring-necked Duck     10
Greater Scaup     1
Ruddy Duck     2
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Turkey Vulture     1
Tufted Titmouse     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     1

Location:     Black Hill Regional Park
Observation date:     3/6/10

Canada Goose     25
Tundra Swan     47
Gadwall     1
American Wigeon     8
American Black Duck     10
Mallard     12
Canvasback     20
Ring-necked Duck     800
Bufflehead     30
Common Goldeneye     4
Hooded Merganser     20
Common Merganser     120
Ruddy Duck     20
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Great Blue Heron     1
Turkey Vulture     8
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Ring-billed Gull     10
Red-bellied Woodpecker     2
Blue Jay     1
Carolina Chickadee     2
Winter Wren     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     2
Song Sparrow     2
White-throated Sparrow     20

Location:     Triadelphia Reservoir--Green Bridge
Observation date:     3/6/10

American Black Duck     20
Bufflehead     3
Common Merganser     500
Bald Eagle     1
Ring-billed Gull     5
Herring Gull     1
American Crow     10

Location:     Hughes Hollow - McKee Beshers WMA
Observation date:     3/6/10
Number of species:     23

Wood Duck     3
American Wigeon     2
Ring-billed Gull     10
Rock Pigeon     3
Mourning Dove     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     3
Downy Woodpecker     3
Northern Flicker     1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Blue Jay     3
American Crow     10
Fish Crow     1
Tree Swallow     2
Carolina Chickadee     5
Tufted Titmouse     4
Carolina Wren     1
Eastern Bluebird     4
European Starling     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     10
White-throated Sparrow     5
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird     20
Common Grackle     10

Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland
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