The birds are waiting for the ice to melt, and I am waiting for more birds to arrive.
At Potter Marsh yesterday (April 16) there were Canada Geese, Mew Gulls (as well as a few larger Herring/Glaucous-winged hybrid types), Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintails out on small puddles or icy expanse:
Again there were moose, this time five of them, two of which are shown here.
The Black-billed Magpies were not waiting, and were working on a nest that is mostly obscured by branches, as are they.
At Hood and Spenard Lakes, there was no open water, and no noticeable activity by birds or humans.
Spenard Crossing, however, was busy. Close by the parking lot were the usual Mallards and Common Mergansers, along with both species of goldeneye.
Resting Mew Gulls (and possibly a few larger gulls mixed in) were out on one of the big remaining expanses of ice, clearly waiting.
The previously reported Canvasback was way out on a distant patch of open water. While I was watching it and trying to get photos, two Buffleheads appeared.
My last stop was out at Ship Creek, where I was delighted to find my first American Wigeons of the year in addition to the Gadwalls, Mallards and Canada Geese.
I’m trying to not just sit back and wait for new species, so right now I’m leaving my computer to check out a few areas and see if anything else has arrived.
Lynn Barber's Birding Blog 