Day 335: December 1st – More ducks at Rockland Lake

Overcast, calm winds, low 40s

       Our annual Hawk Watch luncheon where we compare data from this year to the past years is to be held this afternoon.  The site of the luncheon is near Rockland Lake, so several of us attending the hawk watch affair decided to head down to the lake first and see what the new month has brought in.

       A nice day for a walk if not ideal conditions for photography….. still the ducks are cooperating by staying in close to shore.  With so much pedestrian traffic around the bike trail which circumscribes the lake shore, the waterfowl seems to pay little heed to human presence.  The most obvious birds are of course the Canada geese.  As one flew by, I managed to get a shot off which shows the striking pattern of the feathers on the wings.  This is another bird we take for granted due to its omnipresence here in southeast New York.  Yet when you have the picture to study, you realize what a handsome bird this is.  I often think I should sometimes leave the camera home and just study the birds through the bins or the scope.  The camera has become part of me, however, and it seems awkward to be out in the field without it.  What a shame.

       There are other ducks on the pond to be reckoned with as we walk around the water’s edge.  One of the nicest finds of the day is the Northern shoveler.  These are not exactly rare ducks, but you don’t see them every time you’re in the field either, so when they are here and in close, it’s a treat.  Drakes were precious few, but there were enough hens around to keep our attention.

       The most numerous ducks were the American coots.  Here again, you don’t see them on every lake when you’re out birding, but when you find one, you can bet you’ll find many many more. 

       One of the most handsome little ducks we encounter during the winter is the Bufflehead.  This male pair was found hanging out together feeding along the edge of the lilies.  Females were on site as well, but these two seemed to be more comfortable with one another’s company this morning.

       Other ducks we found today included Ruddy and Common mergansers.  Several mute swans and a less often found Common loon were also present.  It was another nice morning to get out before our afternoon meeting and it made for a pleasant start to the final month of 2012.