Interesting.  I looked there early yesterday morning, before work to try for the recently reported Red-necked Grebe.  I had no luck, and also looked for WW Scoter, with no luck.  I am not sure what is "usual" there, but saw a nice variety of waterfowl and other birds along the river.  What was the water level like?

I saw Canada Geese 1, Wood Duck 2, Gadwall 4, American Wigeon 7, Mallard 2, Northern Pintail 4, Redhead 23, Ring-necked Duck 42, Greater Scaup 5, Lesser Scaup 11, Black Scoter 1 (drake; loosely associating with the scaups), Bufflehead 18, Hooded Merganser 3, Common Merganser 8, Ruddy Duck 2, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Horned Grebe 7, Ring-billed Gulls 610, and Tree Swallows 15.  Plus an assortment of passerines along the shore.

The Potomac River and Seneca Creek were very swollen and I'm afraid it could get considerably worse if we get the high rains that are predicted for this eve and tomorrow.  The birds were all fighting the current and it was hardly a place for migrating birds if seeking a quiet rest spot.  It was almost comical to watch the grebes struggling to swim in it!  Not to mention the challenge of navigating around the constant stream of floating debris.  I saw a variety of odd objects flaoting down the river, including 3 different 55 galloong drums, and a part of someone's dock or blind or whatever.  I can't imagine much waterfowl will remain if flood stage gets worse.

Cheers!
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD

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