MAP

HISTORY

THE BIRDS

Coots

Cormorants

Ducks

Egrets

Geese

Grebes

Gulls

Herons

Others

References

 Ducks

Scaup. The commonest duck on the Lake, Scaups are very gregarious. They are good divers, with legs placed well back on the body. These birds are concentrated in the protected arm of the large with large flocks taking advantage of the handouts of grain from the nature center. Both Greater and Lesser Scaups are present but are very difficult to distinguish from each other. Female (left), male (right). Photos D. Fristrom
	Ruddy Ducks. Several "fleets" of these cute little ducks can be found in the protected arm of the Lake and in the vicinity of the islands. The males in breeding plumage (shown) have a bright blue bill. During mating display, the tail stands straight up. Photo D. Fristrom
Buffleheads. The male Bufflehead is one of the easiest ducks to spot with its wide white band across the back of the head. Although there are quite a few of these on the lake in winter they don't seem interested in the handouts of fish and grain at the nature center. Male (left), Photo D. Fristrom, female (right).
Canvas Back. Easily recognized by the red- brown neck and head and sloping forehead. Many take advantage of the easy pickings at the wildlife center in winter months but all leave for their nesting grounds to the north by mid-March. Female (left), male (right). Photos D. Fristrom
Goldeneyes. Two species of Goldeneyes; Common and Barrows, are winter residents on the lake. The Barrows males (right. Photo D. Fristrom) have kidney-shaped eye patches and small oval wing markings that distinguish them from the common goldeneye (left). The females are very similar. They often congregate in mixed groups near the twelth street bridge at the Lake outlet . Here one has a chance to examine the difference between the two species as well as differences in males, females and juveniles. All leave by the end of March for their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska.
	Mallard. An urban "classic", the Mallard is the most common duck in North America . With legs positioned under the middle of their body, these ducks are good walkers and are out of the water much of the time. Because of this leg placement they "dabble" rather than dive, tipping heads down, tails up. They can be found anywhere on the lake and are present year round, nesting on the islands. Male (left), female (right). Photo: D. Fristrom

Others This is just a beginning; Brown pelicans and great blue herons also make an appearance from time to time. Occasionally strange exotics such as Egyptian geese and Mandarin ducks make an appearance in the nature center. There are also many less obvious winter visitors; for example, a single female tufted duck was present throughout the winter of 2002. Other winter visitors that include gadwalls, common and red-throated loons, Eurasian and American wigeons, pintail ducks, wood ducks, ring-necked ducks, white-eyed scoters and surf scoters. And of course there are many species of land birds aound the lake. Photos D. Fristrom

References The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America and historical clippings kept at the Rotary Nature Center.

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