This is a report on two quarry lakes in the Columbus metro area. One part
of the report dates to Thursday, the other today. The quarry lakes are the
one at the intersection of I-670 and US 33, the other is at the Quarry
apartments off of 5th Ave. at US 33.
On Thursday, the lake at 33/670 was a crowded mob of waterfowl - some 150 -
200 ducks and easily 50 gulls, together with a small number of geese. The
gulls were out in the very center of the lake, and could not be distinguished
from my vantage point with 10x binoculars. The ducks were divided between
buffleheads, ring-neckeds and scoups. My estimate was about 40% buffleheads,
something like 50 ring-neckeds, and the remainder scoups, species undetermined
due to distance from shore. There were also 10 pied-billed greebs.
Today the Quarry lake off of 5th Ave. had a limited number of pairs of
buffleheads (7 pairs) doing some pretty serious chase behavior, a pair of
pied-billed greebs, six pairs of ring-neckeds, a pair of mallards and a small number
of Canada geese, no more than eight at any point. It also had its resident
GBH. However, late in the day, a massive number of buffleheads made an
appearance. My count was approximately 150 birds (with an annoying habit of diving
that makes a "count" pretty problematic). The group was easily visible in a
scope, and was made up entirely buffleheads, with no scaups or ring-necks
mixed in. The birds were on the lake for about 90 minutes before leaving.
The buffleheads made for a great show!
Howard Mueller
Phone: 415-987-3106 (cell)
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