I was just eating my lunch in Patterson Park, Baltimore, and noticed 6 Hooded Mergansers in a tight group on the boat lake. Due to the very muted colours on them, I wondered at first whether they might be a very early brood from this year. But looking in Sibley I see they are 1st spring birds - 2 males with just a trace of white on the face and 4 dull females, which I guess are also 1st spring birds. I watched them at 12;30 for a few minutes then they took off, but a few minutes later they came nack and settled down again.

They may still be there, but I had to return to the office.

Dave

David Curson, PhD
Director of Bird Conservation,
Audubon Maryland-DC.
2437 Eastern Avenue,
Baltimore, MD  21224
Tel: (410) 558 2473.
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