Addicted to Spring
Waterfowl and Gulls at Chautauqua Lake
I am addicted to this spring time sunshine and ended up with 7 first of the years birds to report this weekend! CHEERS! Patty has been showing me all of the hot spots around Chautauqua Lake and although we were not successful in relocating the Tundra Swan she had earlier in the day . . . . . we still had a great time together on the outlet!
Redhead Duck and Canada Goose photo from 2008
Some of the easier birdies to find included the American Coot (CHECK), Great-blue Heron (CHECK), Mallards and Canada Goose that were not far away from the roadside. The outlet was good but most of the birds were just bird specks! We first started investigating the Gulls who were sitting on the ice closer to shore . . . . Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull (CHECK) and is that a . . . . sweet its a Greater Black-backed Gull (CHECK).
Canvasback photo from 2008
We then focused on the mixed rafts of waterfowl specks in the background and started calling off. . . Mallard, Blackduck, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser and Buffleheads! The American Wigeon (CHECK) wasn’t expected but its big white forehead gave away its identity. Redhead Ducks (CHECK) were numerous but when they are tiny specks you begin looking for differences . . . . . then the pair of Canvasbacks (CHECK) appeared mixed in with the Redheads! This was pure happiness with my 7 year birds to mark on my 2009 checklist!
American Coot photo from 2007
Other waterfowl will be moving through the area within the next few weeks like the Woodduck, Scaup species and the Tundra Swans (ok, swans are here but I just haven’t seen any yet)!
March = Fun Waterfowl
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You sure saw a lot in one day. We went out yesterday and saw 15 ring-necked ducks and some Canada geese but that was it. We went down to the Erie refuge today and saw lots of red-tailed hawks (but we always do down there.) It’s still so cold and frozen.
1 March 2009 at 7:50 pm
You make me laugh. Check.
😉
Mary
1 March 2009 at 8:41 pm
Thanks for the tip for March and waterfowl. I will be sure to check it out.
Congrats on your success!
1 March 2009 at 8:44 pm
I now have that Robert Palmer song in my head “addicted to love” – okay – never mind! I really like those redhead ducks – they look so darkly beautiful in your photo!
1 March 2009 at 9:02 pm
I’m glad you got to the lake to find some of the firsts of Spring! Good for you and thanks for sharing with us!
1 March 2009 at 10:37 pm
Oh, it makes me itchy to get out there, too! Still a little wintery for me, and ccccold along the water’s edge. Spot a pair of buffleheads while driving across the Kennebec River every day. But think I’ll just wait until the temps rise above the teens! Thanks for sharing such great photos and for the “nudge”. Check.
2 March 2009 at 4:29 am
Great photos Mon@rch. I am so ready for spring. If it would just warm up.
2 March 2009 at 7:12 am
This my favorite time of the year! The ducks have slowly started but I’m watching and waiting for the swans to arrive!
2 March 2009 at 10:20 am
Very cool, Tom! I love Chautauqua Lake – what a cool place to go birding!
2 March 2009 at 10:30 am
Great to see all those beautiful springtime birds. Love that Redhead Duck.
2 March 2009 at 11:44 am
Nice check list. 🙂 We’ve had some ducks starting to move here too, but it mostly the early stuff, Mergs, Teals, and Buffleheads. Many of our lakes and reservoirs are still frozen.
2 March 2009 at 1:16 pm
Sweet pics! I love the ducks. : )
2 March 2009 at 3:09 pm
It seems that you went into somewhat of a hibernation in the winter and now you’re coming back with a vengeance-check indeed!
2 March 2009 at 6:19 pm
@ Linda – I have not seen any ring-necks yet! Great day for sure!
@ Mary – he he . . check!
@ Kallen – Glad you enjoyed!
@ Shelley – now I have it in my head! HE HE
@ Bird Girl – Thanks it was a fun day!
@ kaholly – get out . . this is a great time of the year!
@ Lisa – thanks and I am ready also!
@ Sherri – they are around . . . I am just not lucky to see them!
@ Pam – it’s a fun place for sure! Thanks
@ Robin – That is a fave photo of mine also! Thanks
@ birdingbev – mostly the water river ways are open!
@ Patty – thanks 🙂
@ lvn600 – thanks and was more of the fall that I was in hibernation . . . !
2 March 2009 at 9:20 pm
My favorite part of Spring is ducklings. Nothing is cuter, I swear! (Unfortunately we don’t have many…or any?…ducklings where we currently live. Perhaps it’s the alligators…)
8 March 2009 at 2:15 am