Since the arrival of the first of the season, lone male merg back at the end of October, their numbers have steadily increased. Over the past few weeks the congregation in our Wetlands has ranged from the twenties and thirties, into the forties. I counted 41 mergansers on 5 December.

They have been very busy pair bonding and feeding. They show a preference for feeding under and around the Main Wetlands Overlook where many golden shiners have concentrated. But, as mentioned in a previous post, the upper side of this platform is a favorite of human visitors to the Museum. The human activity keeps the birds swimming back and forth, to and from the deck as people come and go. This hustle and bustle makes for good opportunities to get photos.

Here’s some of what you might see.

The flock may thin as the winter progresses, pairs are established, and fish become more difficult to secure. If I were reading this, I’d make my way out to the Wetlands soon.

See you there!