Kinglets, Ducks, and Both Yellowlegs ~ April 1, 2024

In the late afternoon, I headed over to Green Pond. The flooded field area produced 10 Green-winged Teal, 4 American Black Ducks, and a Killdeer in the flooded field area, and a Great Blue Heron, 2 Eastern Phoebes, and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets at Green Pond. I rarely get a chance at a photo of a Golden-crowned exposing the red patch in the center of its yellow crown. I managed to get that here but, unfortunately, the focus was a little off.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

When I got to the Regency Boulevard ponds, I heard a Common Raven croaking and watched as it constantly got dive-bombed by 2 American Crows. The north pond held 27 Buffleheads, 10 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Green-winged Teal, a Hooded Merganser, and 3 Killdeer.

Ruddy Duck

The south pond held 14 more Ring-necked Ducks and a Northern Shoveler.

Northern Shoveler

Over at the Silver Crest Road pond, there were 9 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Ring-necked Ducks, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk that quickly scattered some Dark-eyed Juncos.

Ruddy Duck

The West Gremar Road retention pond, which is now referred to as the Newburg Park retention pond, contained a Killdeer and my "FOY" (first-of-the-year) Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs, one of each.

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Here's a comparison photo showing the size and bill length differences between the two.

A Greater Yellowlegs in front of a Lesser Yellowlegs.

My last stop was at the Christian Springs Road pond. Two Green-winged Teal were at the pond plus 2 American Wigeon were in the flooded field just east of there.

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