There are at least eight Common merganser cruising Staines Pond, seemingly preferring the north end of the pond unless someone is around that catches their collective attention, in which case they head to the south end, as if that location provides greater security, although I can't see how it might. The north end of the pond might be deeper and deeper is better. Ok,OK, this is getting creepy. Halloween is over and Valentine's Day is a long way off.
The only way that a person could possibly be perceived as a thread by a merganser at the distance between the path and the middle of the water is perhaps if a gun is added to the equation. In Canada that's not nearly as likely. Still, I may need to return to this site with a camo cover because those suckers are never going to get near me otherwise. It's a little cold out for a long stake-out. I may need to wear three coats!
I wish I could check-out Sam Smith for the Purple sandpiper but I can't see that happening. I don't think that it was even reported today. There is also a Hudsonian godwit in Whitby at Pringle Creek. That will probably be gone by tomorrow too. Even that location is a bit far to travel on a lark, I mean on a godwit. Still, a godwit and a nitwit in the same shot might be a keeper. OK, OK, that's enough stupid for one post.
