Hoover Reservoir is opening up, with the ice receding and leaving big open patches as far north as the Redbank/MaxtownRd ramp. Multiple birders found lots of migrating waterfowl moving into these open areas, and I chased some of these finds this afternoon. Stops at the Walnut St. ramp, Area D, and the Maxtown ramp found a good mix of diving ducks and mergansers, with some dabbling ducks and a few landbirds thrown in for good measure. Included among the haul were:
Long-tailedDuck - a gorgeous winter male was found 2 days ago near the Walnut St. ramp and he was still there. Look for him off the old roadbed north of the boat ramp parking lot Scaup & Redheads- small groups of them all along the reservoir CommonGoldeneyes - small flocks at nearly every stop CommonMergansers - a huge flock of 200+ was north of the County Line bridge this afternoon, best viewed from Area D Red-breasted Mergansers - small numbers at every stop Hooded Mergansers - good numbers at every stop, with 140+ off Area D Ruddy Ducks - 40-50 were off the Maxtown Rd ramp Red-throatedLoon - a winter-plumage bird has been hanging out off the Maxtown ramp; it was around today, but actively diving, which made good looks brief Horned Grebe - reported from both Walnut St and Maxtown, but I found neither of them
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