Activity was very good, though
widely distributed, at the upper end of Hoover Reservoir today (Friday).  With the reservoir free of ice the waterfowl
are not concentrated at any particular location. We made stops at the East
Walnut Boat Launch, Redbank Boat Launch, Baldridge Boat Launch, Oxbow Road and
the Twin Bridges area.
 
Common Loon – 1 or 2 Common Loons
were located at every stop. Off Oxbow Road and Oxbow Island there were several
in full breeding plumage.
Grebes – Pied-billed Grebes and Horned
Grebes were at every stop, ranging from 1 or 2 to 10 or more. A lone Red-necked
Grebe was off the north end of Oxbow Island.
Double-crested Cormorant – Their numbers
are still low but the numbers are building near Pelican Island.
Great Blue Heron – A few at Oxbow
Road.
Turkey Vulture – The numbers are
building fast. They have roosts at both the north and south end of Hoover
Reservoir. This is a remnant of one-time rendering plants at both sites.
Waterfowl – The migration is growing
in strength daily with a diverse variety on the reservoir. The birds are almost
everywhere you stop. Species observed today included Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall,
American Wigeon, American Black Duck Mallard, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser
Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,
and Ruddy Duck.
Osprey – Individuals have been
observed at the platforms at Area M in Galena (Tuttle)
Bald Eagle – The Hoover pair are
back at the nest site and on the nest.
Hawks – Only a lone Red-tailed Hawk.
Killdeer – A lone bird at Oxbow
Road.
Gulls – Many Bonaparte's Gulls
(FOY), Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls. The Ring-billed are enjoying
the Area M boardwalk while it is closed. They were on the railing from end to
end. Big clean up job ahead.
Belted Kingfisher – One each at Redbank
and Oxbow.
 
Charlie Bombaci

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