Date: 11/8/25 7:01 am From: Tristan Lowery via groups.io <tristanlowery...> Subject: [hmbirds] Albany County: City of Albany reservoirs - 11/8
Susannah B. and I made relatively brief stops at Alcove Reservoir and Basic
Creek Reservoir this morning. The former had a bit more waterfowl diversity
than usual, where - along with more expected *Canada Geese* and *Mallards*
- we found a lone *American Wigeon*, several *American Black Ducks*, at
least one *Long-tailed Duck*, half a dozen *Buffleheads*, two *American
Coots*, and four *Common Loons*. Landbirds were fairly active as well, if
not particularly numerous, with notable flyovers by a *Pileated Woodpecker*,
*Common Raven*, and a few calling *Snow Buntings*.
At Basic Creek Reservoir, the Ruddy Duck count has ballooned to well over
one thousand and there was a noted increase in *Hooded Mergansers* as well.
Other waterfowl present included *American Wigeon, American Black Ducks,
Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, both Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup,
Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes*, and *Common Mergansers*.
Landbirds were more sparse, but aside from a scattering of expected
songbirds, we also heard a *Ruffed Grouse* drumming from the brush near the
parking lot on the western side of the reservoir.
