Kenny's Pond Birds

This pair of Eurasian Wigeons has been residing at Kenny's Pond for quite a while now. This uncommon bird can be seen around the city most every year, but this pair is staying so late. Is it possible that they might breed here? That would be really special.

I have visited the Eurasian Wigeons at Kenny's Pond several times in an effort to get favorable lighting and capture a few good shots of this stunning male. Its rufous-brown head is brighter than I can ever remember seeing.

For walkers around the pond, this dabbling duck is a show-stopper. Many people paused to ask me about the bird while I was taking pictures. One regular walker said she had been walking the pond for five years and hadn't see this kind of bird before.

That got me thinking...what birds do visit this pond regularly and what rarities have just dropped in?  I checked the Discussion Group and came up with quite a list of the usual and unusual visitors to this small city pond.  I was astounded by the variety.  Kenny's Pond seems to be a catchment area for many birds.

I compiled a list, just for reference.

Geese, Swans & Ducks

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Pintail
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Tufted Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Green-winged Teal

Coots 
American Coot

Sandpipers
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Spotted Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper

Grebes

Pied-billed Grebe

Gulls and Tern

Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Arctic Tern

Crows

American Crow
Common Raven

Swallows

Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow

Misc.

Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Kingbird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Dark-eyed Junco
Warblers

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow Warbler

Sparrows

Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow

Finches

Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

This amounts to 50 different species spotted on or around Kenny's Pond. Wouldn't it be great if residents of the retirement home could add another delightful dimension to their daily walks by learning to identify, record report their sightings. Operation Pond Watch!