Upper and Lower Mount Bethel Townships ~ February 1, 2024

I did a check of Echo Lake in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Even though the lake was partly frozen, it held 15 Mute Swans, 42 Ring-necked Ducks, 12 American Wigeon, 8 Buffleheads, 2 Common Mergansers, 2 American Black Ducks, a Ruddy Duck, and 2 Gadwall among Mallards and Canada Geese. A Bald Eagle also flew over the lake and stirred up the birds a little.

Gadwall

The other stop was at the Martins Creek PPL power plant area in Lower Mount Bethel Township. There, I found 11 Common Mergansers, 9 Buffleheads, 4 Redheads, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 2 American Coots, and a Cackling Goose among the Canadas. A Belted Kingfisher was also there.

Redheads, Buffleheads, and American Coots

Redhead

Cackling Goose

Nearby were a Northern Harrier, a male American Kestrel, and about 2000 Snow Geese flew over the area.

---