Birding at Brush Hollow on 11-24-05

This Thanksgiving Day was quite pleasant so I went out to Brush Hollow this afternoon and found that the prob 1st winter Surf Scoter is still there. As I have often seen it, it floated alone in the middle of the Reservoir. After I was there awhile, I saw it diving near the the Common Goldeneyes who were also diving. The some fishermen came and it flew to the dam end.

There were 3 Common Goldeneye, and I saw them diving extensively in several different parts of the Reservoir. There were also some American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, a few Mallards and some white-headed gulls too far for me to id. I hiked to the east of the dam into pinyon-juniper habitat and found 2 Townsend's Solitairs singing and chasing each other in a large cottonwood tree. I enjoy listening to the very melodic song of this species.

My visit ended with the pleasant sunset in this photo.
SeEtta