Date: 12/28/24 1:51 pm From: Kenneth Younger <kyounger...> Subject: Common Merganser — War Eagle
This afternoon, I visited the far eastern end of War Eagle Blacktop Wc95. This is part of an odd peninsula that is entirely in Washington County, but the county line surrounds it. One of the few good public views of Beaver Lake that we get from Wash Co.
The road entrance was very wet, thick with mud, with deep puddles, but managed to get through and park. Be very cautious if you visit and sure of the vehicle you bring. I immediately found a good flock of Bonaparte's Gulls, and ultimately tallied 46 of them. But the real find was a female Common Merganser hanging out just south of the area you park. It moved further south around the bend, but as I followed back there it dove and doubled back and headed into the main body of water north, where I lost track of it. I also ended up having a flock of Northern Pintails fly over. Good luck if you make your way out there. I often wonder what could be found out here if it were regularly birded. I only recently submitted the hotspot to eBird, and hope to try to put in a few more regular visits in the future.
