Date: 12/24/25 3:06 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: LONG-TAILED DUCK AT LAKE NO LOONS DAM (Beaver)
eBird submission: https://ebird.org/checklist/S290059140 Birding in Beaver Lake dam area today, December 24, 2025, was quite a bit like birding same area December 21. Other than a flock of Canada Geese, most water birds were Common Goldeneyes and Bonaparte’s Gulls (with a few Ring-billed Gulls mixed in). There were no Common Loons.
I arrived early as possible (~7:30) to avoid problems with wind. In terms of numbers of COGO, I had an initial 1 x 1 count of 38 in a long string. Among the 38 was at least one each of Hooded Merganser and Red-breasted Merganser. I did not see Common Merganser. At same time I had a 1 x 1 count of 60 Bonaparte’s Gulls with a few additional Ring-billed Gulls.
As was the case on December 21, the ducks were diving under water and I assume chasing small fish like shad. To escape ducks, the presumed schools of escaping small fish were set upon by gulls. Bonaparte’s Gulls appear quite tern-like as they swoop down for these fish.
Most of these birds left immediate dam area by flying upstream and out of my sight. Later I saw a flock of about 15 COGO that were being followed by 20+ Bonaparte’s Gulls. There were no mergansers with this flock, but there was one Long-tailed Duck – I think an adult female from my single poor quality photograph.
My assumption is that this was a second COGO flock, bringing the total to around 53.
There were two adults at the Bald Eagle nest. The weather today has been in low 70s. Looks like winter out on the lake with Common Goldeneyes and Long-tailed Duck, but it does not feel like winter otherwise.
