Hooded Mergansers

One of the highlights of last Saturday's Long Branch CBC was watching a large flock of Hooded Mergansers at Wreck Pond in Sea Girt. They were all gathered in a small area of open water at the east end of the pond, along with a few Gadwall, Black Ducks, and Snow Geese – and a huge flock of Canada Geese. The mergansers were present during both morning and afternoon stops there, and some of them came quite close to the road.

A few Hooded Mergansers were present at Lake Como as well. This male was displaying his crest among a mixed group of Mallards and American Coots.