The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a newly confirmed nesting species in our region. There have been confirmed reports on the upper Shavers Fork, Dry Fork and Cheat River. These are the first confirmed sightings on the lower Shavers Fork, near Bowden. I saw a lone female at this spot in June of 2009 and have checked it out numerous times since then; with no success. Today (5-27-12) I found what I was looking for! I was walking around near the river at 7:30 am; with my beagle Ralphie and heard a quack. I looked up and there they were, headed downstream and of course, I didn't have my camera with me. So, back to the truck we headed. I was trying to hurry and the truck was a quarter of a mile away. You just can't hurry with Ralphie. If I remember right; he got tangled up 6 times on the way back. We got the camera and I believe he only got tangled up 4 times on the return trip. We finally got back to the river and I couldn't find the mergansers.
I finally heard them upstream from the original spot. Ralphie and I tried to sneak upstream; but a fisherman spooked them back down toward us. I was able to get a few quick photos as they went by.There were ten young in the group. Confirmed nesting success at last! It has already been a good day.
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Spectacular ! What a amazingly magical find! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteThank You !! I knew if I kept going back, I would find them; sooner or later.
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