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Date: | Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:23:30 -0500 |
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Like Al DeSala, I decided that the weather wasn't too harsh for birding, although I questioned this decision several times during the morning. I started at Hoover dam, and gradually worked my way up the west shore to the Sunbury causeway and Mudhen marsh. The trick was to stay out of the wind; not only did that save my face and fingers, but that's where the birds were hiding. Best spot was below the dam; the spillway had the most waterfowl and the soccer field edge had the most landbirds (since it was wind-sheltered). Anywhere up on the exposed shore of the reservoir was mostly bird-less. Highlights included:
Canada Geese - lots of flocks below the dam and in protected areas along the shore above the dam. They seemed unaffected by the cold.
American Wigeon - 10+ in the throngs of Mallards below the dam
Black Ducks - 5= in these same throngs
Bufflehead - a few in areas of open water above the dam
Hooded Mergansers - a few both above and below the dam
Woodpeckers - 7 Downies & 3 Red-bellies along the soccer field margin below the dam. An adult Red-headed was still in the slough at Mudhen Marsh.
E.Bluebirds - 2 at Mudhen Marsh
Robins - 60+ roosting below the dam, around the soccer field margin
Cedar Waxwings - 5+ in the same area
Am.Goldfinches - 15-20 scattered in the sycamores along the edge of the soccer field below the dam; no redpolls or siskins among them.
As in the prior day, sparrows were not much in evidence, although I did find a few Trees and Songs at Area E and Mudhen Marsh. Despite the cold, the reservoir was largely ice-free, but the open water of the reservoir was mostly birdless, as most of the waterfowl were tucked along the edges or below the dam. Despite the wind, it was not a bad day to be out if you were dressed for it.
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