Sitting ducks

The persistent northerly wind flow, cool temperatures, and lack of sunshine for the past several days has done little to promote the melting of ice on local water bodies. Overnight snowfall averaging 6 inches will only delay the process further. There have been a few reports of ducks on the move, and Canada Geese are flying into marsh roosts each evening, along with dabbling ducks. There are several individuals of both Lesser Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser being observed on open portions of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. These species are among the harder to find in our area, as they mostly bypass the region on the way to and from their typical wintering areas in the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coast.

Large group of Mallards at The Crossings in Colonie


What's Next:

March 8th- 14th:

American Woodcock will return and are best found at dusk making their "peent" call, followed by an aerial skydance (VIDEO).

Dabbling ducks will arrive as soon as they can find open water on shallow ponds, marshes and wetlands. Expect Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal first, and Gadwall will follow closely.

Bufflehead (VIDEO) can be found now where there is deeper water for diving, and at the end of the period we might expect to find the first Pied-billed Grebes back in town.

Snow Geese may begin to return northward about this time, often moving overhead in very large "skeins"; keep your eyes and ears open, their honking sound is a bit different from Canada Goose or Brant.

Red-shouldered Hawks should begin to turn up this week.

At the end of the period, the first Tree Swallows may start to appear along the rivers, and you might find a Fox Sparrow in dense, shrubby habitat, or even under a feeder doing the "hop-scratch" (VIDEO).

Next week: More water birds, and a few birds of field and marsh.

Capital Region Bird-Finding Calendar click here


TW