Stone In Place, But Diving Ducks Steal the Show

A major raft of divers -- mainly redheads and canvasbacks, with trumpeter swans and puddlers in the background
served as a constant distraction during my time at the marsh yesterday

I am happy to report that we are finished placing armor stone on our bay front exterior dike on the West Marsh. After all the preparation, it took three days of hauling, a little over 100 truckloads of limestone, and pretty much the ideal window of late season winter to get the job done. But we did it. Hats off to Roy, the truck drivers, and the excavator operator. Conditions were tough, but we got it done with teamwork. More on this soon, but suffice it to say I'm relieved. Our largest vulnerability has now been dramatically reduced (dare I say, eliminated), at least for the time being.

Time is tight now, but I wanted to share some lively imagery from yesterday's visit. The air and water (what isn't frozen at least) were teaming with waterfowl of all different makes and models. Most notably, redheads and canvasbacks put on a show. The still shots are neat, but the video makes it that much easier to appreciate the density and near-constant motion. I could have watched (and filmed) all day.

My only disappointment was that I couldn't get closer and that my best footage took place when the sun was obscured by passing clouds and snow showers. These birds are magnificent under about any condition, but they are perhaps most breathtaking when their spring plumage contrasts with dark water and fading afternoon light.

The top image and video are predominately redheads (distinguishable by gray upper wings/shoulders, a more abrupt
"forehead,"and a downturned bill that looks like it was dipped in white and then black paint); canvasbacks have a similar
dark cinnamon head, but a broader, more gently sloping forehead and bill (with "canvas" white upper wings/shoulders);
the swans in this shot hint at what a little sunshine can do to a late winter photograph!

Blue Bill Encore

As a final postscript to my post from this past Monday, April 9th, I couldn't resist reaching out to Toledo Aerial Media after my visit to East Harbor State Park. I had a really nice exchange with one of their co-owners, Phil Myers, and before long, I had him set up to come out to see -- and record -- things for himself.

If you haven't seen their work already, you owe it to yourself to check them out. Either way, enjoy their first-hand account below. Pretty awesome.

A "Spectacular Concentration" of Divers

This afternoon's view of Middle Harbor (just north of Sandusky Bay);
"One of the most spectacular concentrations of ducks I've ever seen in Ohio. . . Unbelievable!" -- E. Moxley

While my family and I were down in South Carolina for spring break (the cause for my ~week absence here), the next installment of "Spring Ducks" was building in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Roy reported "swarms" of blue wings and green wings (teal) along with persistent numbers of pintails, gadwall, wigeon, and shovelers and a typical smattering of other species (blacks, mergansers, etc.) at Standing Rush over the last 7-10 days.

The woodies haven't arrived yet, but that's not unusual, especially considering how stubborn it's been to warm up. One of the only other common species yet to be common thus far this season -- ironically -- is the most iconic of them all: the mallard. We just aren't seeing big numbers. That is strange.

Less than ideal lighting makes these bluebills
(Greater vs. Lesser Scaup) even more
difficult to differentiate

Speaking of big numbers . . . what has become noteworthy has been the diving ducks. We are seeing some in and around our marsh, but just about ten miles to our north at East Harbor State Park's Middle Harbor the "bluebills" have congregated in jaw-dropping quantities and densities over the last few days. While the photo at the top of the post looks like nothing but Greater and Lesser Scaups, there are Ring-necked Ducks, Redheads, and even some Canvasbacks sprinkled in.

While all of these "divers" are accustom to gathering in large groups as they migrate (in spring and fall), this is a regionally significant push of birds. I've come to learn it is unusual when Roy is taken aback in the marsh, and when a 350-acre expanse of recently restored open water harbors an estimated 100,000 birds, it's grounds for being taken aback.

In fact, the quote that accompanies the first caption is from a friend, former neighbor, and long-time Erie County landowner who has seen A LOT OF DUCKS in A LOT OF PLACES. But he has spent a lifetime tracking them along the shores of Lake Erie. His enthusiasm for this specific gathering is telling. There is a natural spectacle underway. Nothing beats seeing it in person, but at least these images provide a taste.

Greater or Lesser? -- I'd say Lesser, but you decide . . . 

P.S. This mass of diving ducks most certainly warranted the detour on my way home from Erie County this afternoon. It was so awe-inspiring, in fact, that I'm trying to coordinate with Toledo Aerial Media to visit the site tomorrow to capture some drone imagery -- before it's too late. They won't stick around forever. I'll update if they are able to capture them from above.

Blue-winged Teal
(two drakes and a hen)

Green-winged Teal
(solitary drake)

Back at Standing Rush 

. . . just a touch of early spring color

(as always, click to enlarge)

Two more bluewings on the feed in our West Rest Pond