I stopped at lower Hoover Reservoir this afternoon, and was surprised at how little ice remains.  Despite the expansive open water, the Red-necked Grebe north of Walnut St. ramp was still easily seen from there and the next north pull-off.  Most migrant waterfowl were being cagey, lurking in the flooded forest patches along the edge of the reservoir, staying out of the windy middle.  But the high water has pulled all of the waterfowl away from the spillway area below the dam, which had little today.  Notables included:

Mallards - lots of flocks laong the edge of the reservoir from Maxtown launch ramp south
Black Ducks - 10 + across from Maxtown launch ramp
Green-winged Teal - 2 hiding in the flooded forest south of Maxtown launch ramp.
Pintail - a few small groups, both off Maxtown and Walnut St ramps
Lesser Scaup - 15+ scattered along the shore north of the Hoover dam marina
Bufflehead - 3 females in the spillway of the dam
Hooded Mergansers - small flocks all along the shore, many of them flying around (migratory restlessness?)
Pied-billed Grebes - pairs off both Maxtown and the Walnut St. launch ramps
Red-necked Grebe - the reported bird was swimming around north of the Walnut St. ramp
Common Loon - at least 1 was north of the County Line Bridge
Red-tailed Hawks - at least 5 were circling south of the dam.
Mockingbird - 1 was sitting in the scrubby area just north of the Walnut St. launch ramp.
Snow Buntings - the dependable duo were still at the marina spit above the dam

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