[CT Birds] Coventry Lake Waterfowl

[Don Morgan via CTBirds]

I've been checking Coventry Lake for waterfowl since around the beginning
of November, in vain for the most part. Maybe three weeks ago I did find 15
Ruddy Ducks, but only for 1 day. But between errands I checked today and
found more birds than I've seen in 2 years, although nothing like it was
several years ago.

8 Ruddy Duck, tucked up in the NE corner of the northeast cove
(Waterfront Park beach).
42 Common Mergansers!! (That's a lot for this lake.) In one group, along
the eastern shoreline and out in the middle south of the island.
35, approximately, Hooded Mergansers, In the NE cove, off the Oak Grove
beach and along the eastern shoreline.
2 Buffleheads M and F but not together when I saw them, NE cove.
100 + Canada Geese, all over the lake.
60 + Mallards, ditto
1 Mute Swan, off the boat launch ramp.

No sign of Ring-necks, Golden-eye or Loons, but they are always possible
with migration now in full swing for the ducks.

I assume these birds are traveling they may be gone by tomorrow
afternoon.
No ice on the lake, by the way, although many small ponds are frozen,
which probably accounts for large number of Mallards. The geese go in and out
constantly, and spend the night on the lake. It hasn't been really cold in
long stretches yet, so I expect the lake will be at least partially open till
the end of the year, possibly longer.



Don Morgan
Coventry, Ct
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