Date: 11/21/25 11:23 am From: Robert Snyder <birdphotoginpa...> Subject: Trip report from Bald Eagle SP on Nov. 16, 2025
Hello All,
My apologies for being a few days slow in getting this report out.
We had a good showing at 8:00 am on Nov. 16 with approximately 10 birders braving the 15-17mph wind that was gusting up to 38mph. Our species number for the morning (according to my lists) was 31. If anyone has additions feel free to let us know. I've included links to my four checklists for the trip. If you would like me to share my ebird lists with you, just let me know.
We spent 35 minutes searching the lake between the beach and the Howard shore line for waterfowl with scopes and binoculars. We did get 10 Mallards, 1 *Lesser Scaup*, 6 *Buffleheads*, 1 *Common Merganser* and 1 *Horned Grebe* on the wind-whipped waves.
We then moved on to the *Sunken Road Overlook* so we could check out the lake up to the dam and get a view into Hunter's Cove (the roads to Hunter's Cove are now gated for the winter). Bird activity was low, but we stayed about 20 minutes; Mostly seen in Hunter's Cove from the Hunter's Cut parking area were; 27 *Common Merganers*, 1 *Double-crested Cormorant*, 1 *Great Blue Heron* and 1 *Bonaparte's Gul*l that was hunting fish in the shallow water at Sunken Road, while 2 adult *Bald Eagles *were seen flying above Bald Eagle ridge.
Our third stop included a walk around *Letterman Campground* and views of the Cove from boardwalk bridge. We also took a grassy trail through a goldenrod area with scattered shrubs and some small trees on our way back to the cars. As a couple folks asked about Northern Shrikes and American Tree Sparrows (none reported at BESP as of today's writing) we were on the lookout for these species. We did not find any Northern Shrikes or American Tree Sparrows, but we find; 1 *Northern Mockingbird*, 1 *Golden-crowned Kinglet*, 2 *Winter Wrens*, and we heard 3 *Common Ravens*.
