Just as I never realized how many sparrow varieties there are until I started birding, the same goes for ducks. Dabbling or diving, no matter the style, I have difficulty distinguishing one species from another beyond drake mallards.
This morning I drove to John A. Roebling Park in Hamilton, hoping to see a few varieties in the marsh and lake beyond the omnipresent mallards and Canada geese. The marsh is a reliable habitat for gadwalls from late fall into spring, and I spotted a couple of them floating near a group of mallards.
I walked around Spring Lake and took the trail over to the Watson’s Woods section, where I figured I’d likely see a lot of ducks on Watson’s Creek. Did I ever!
Dozens of birds were swimming in the water and others were standing on mudflats near the far bank from the trail. I was able to pick out a few green-winged teals among what turned out to be a great number of American black ducks.
In the field, I find myself continually checking the Merlin app to compare identification marks on the ducks. It’s a great help. I usually backstop myself at home by going to the All About Birds website, which enables direct comparisons between species in addition to clear text describing each.
While I’ve become reasonably competent at identifying the various varieties of sparrows that visit us in central New Jersey, I have a way to go before my duck ID skills catch up.
At some point, I’ll move on to gulls! 🦅