I won’t complain (even though I would really like to) about the much needed rain and resulting poor visibility and cold for a good amount of our survey today. However, it didn’t seem to bother the thousands of ducks and Canada Geese on the Main Pool. We still have mostly dabblers (puddle ducks) but we did see our first Canvasbacks for this southbound migration.

Near the Seneca Spillway we encountered a huge flock of American Coots (several hundred)! The Visitors’ Center Pool had 5 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 Dunlin and a couple of Yellowlegs.

I have included two pictures of what appears to be a good start on a new Bald Eagle nest that can be seen from the Wildlife Drive!!

From the Seneca Spillway, look east and a little to the right. It can be seen without optics. I am hoping it is a new pair establishing a nesting area but it could be the Maple Island pair building a new, fresher nest. So I ask that if you are out there, check out both areas and let me know how many adult eagles are hanging around each nest at the same time. Thanks!!