Hi Tweets,

I saw the Common Mergansers there in early August while
kayaking the reach. At the time I thought they were perhaps
attracted to a fish run, but by the way Kelly describes thier
behavior I wonder if they are moting their flight feathers. That
would explain the reluctance (more like inability) to fly away
from what might be underwater predators looking to take a semi-
helpless prey item.
I estimated 300-400 birds at the time I saw them, all
in female plumage. There must be some sort of substantial fish
activity around the mouth of the river to support that many
obligate fish-eaters for at least one month. Does anyone know
exactly which fish species are preferred by C. Mergansers and
if these are found in and around river deltas?

Jim Flynn
Renton, WA
bf519 at scn.org