Waterbird Highlights:
This week (October 15–21), we had 36 species of waterbirds, of which half of the diversity were waterfowl. Of the 30,000+ individuals counted, 13% were dabbling ducks such as Mallard, Northern Pintail, and American Wigeon, and 78% were diving ducks such as Aythaya species, scoters, and mergansers. Long-tailed Ducks made 33% of the count alone this week.
Most days, we can reach the trifecta of scoters, with White-winged Scoters being the most dominant, followed by Surf then Black Scoter. Our first of season Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, and Hooded Mergansers are peppered between the large diving duck flocks and all of our more regular groups.
Other notable waterfowl sightings have been large flocks of Green-winged Teals rather than the occasional loner, loose groups of Tundra Swans, and a likely pair of Trumpeter Swans.
Greater Scaup (Fall 2021)
Other Bird Highlights:
Our most notable non-waterbird sighting this week was a Short-eared Owl coming off the lake, while the next day, another short-eared was bumped out of the ponds near the waterbird shack. The weather conditions are becoming cool enough, making us think about the potential Snowy Owl coming off the lake or appearing along the shoreline.
Short-eared Owl (Fall 2021)
Winter finches are becoming a much more familiar sound when entering waterbird tallies. Some days Common Redpoll would reach over 300 individuals, with Red and White-winged Crossbills mixed between them.
Common Redpoll (Fall 2021)
~ Mario Balitbit, 2021 Fall Waterbird Counter
