Hi Everybody:

      I spent  the better part of the day mostly looking for waterfowl in Washington County. Blairs Valley Lake was 100% frozen as was the Potomac River at both Four Locks Road and McCoy's Ferry Road. I then scanned Big Pool from within Fort Frederick St. PK. Over 95% of the water was frozen. with the scope I could see some geese in a small area of open water. I drove up to the Rail Trail, parked and hiked about 1/2 mile up the railroad tracks and then cut over to Big Pool. In the small amount of open water were:

Canada Geese     215
Cackling Goose     1
Mallard     6
Black Duck     14
Ruddy Duck     1
Hooded Merg     1 (male)

The most interesting sightings were what I initially thought were Snow Geese. Upon further study I found 4 different birds that were obvious hybrids. All were identical size to Canada Geese. Two of them had the white head and neck of the Snow Goose with a Snow Goose beak. The bodies were dirty white and showed the waffled layers identical to the darker bodies of Canada Geese. The legs were an orangish color.

In order, I then checked Dam # Four, Williamsport, and Dam # 5 (all along the Potomac River). The only findings at all three were Canada Geese.

My last stop was at Weverton. All birds listed below wereseen in Washington County unless otherwise noted.

Canada Goose     128
Mallard     16
Black Duck     12
Hooded Mergs     3

I had one Killdeer fly upriver while I was there and also saw 6 additional Black Ducks downriver in Frederick County.

Jim Green 
Gaithersburg, MD.

work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!