However this year, with my average binoculars, I have seen a handful of diving ducks. I had no idea they would visit a pond in Iowa. Of course with my average binoculars, standing in my living room looking out the window, I really don't have a very good view, much less a way to take pictures. But I tried my best to properly identify them. The first diving duck I saw was a Scaup in March. There was only one so I couldn't tell if it was a Lesser or Greater Scaup. He was very busy diving and eating. The wood ducks also showed up around this time as well as Canadian Geese as soon as the water opened.
In
early April, after another snowstorm, I noticed a duck on the pond that looked
like his feet were frozen in a snow ball and he was floating around - turned
out to be a Bufflehead which has a white lower body. That same day I saw
a Ring-necked Diving Duck. The giveaway there was white on its beak.
It's
mid-April and yet again we have a snow day. Luckily I finished all of the
grape pruning in mid-March. It meant I didn't take a spring break, but
looking back, it was a wise choice. I've noticed a lot more waterfowl on
my pond this "spring". Since I don't believe it is the weather
bringing them here, I'm apt to think I've always had these species come and go
but I never noticed them. Usually I am busy planting seeds, working in
the greenhouse or in the vineyard or riding my bike to notice the unobtrusive
waterfowl visiting my pond. But this season I am stuck inside on these
less than glorious April snow days enjoying the wood heat. I find myself
taking note of birds at the bird feeder and ducks on the pond. Even
though this spring we have had snow at least once a week, temperatures haven't
stayed low enough to freeze the pond again, so open water has drawn many waterfowl.
Every year I see wood ducks and mallards. I have two nest boxes for wood
ducks. Once the young ones hatch, they seem to only stick around a few
days and then I don't see them anymore. I am not sure what that is
saying, but maybe I get too busy that time of year and don’t notice.
Even
though we didn’t have much of a spring due to the odd weather, I enjoyed
getting to know more about the wildlife that surrounds me.
Check
out pictures of mentioned diving ducks at Ducks Unlimited
