March 15th.  A dozen Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) this morning.

 

Eight males, four females.

 

Three males and a female.

 

 

 

March 16th.  The snow is virtually gone!  Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

 

 

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) still around.

 

Angry birds? (Not really.)

 

At Cranberry Bog, early afternoon, a pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).  Perhaps a pair that nested or were born there last year?

 

March 18th.  A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) take flight from Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).  On the male duck at the left, you can actually see the maroon neck ring that gives the duck its name.

 

 

 

 

 

Twentyseven Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) in this photo, and there were more elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

A few Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) around.  (Several shy Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers too.)

 

 

 

Terrible photo, I know, but in it are three of a dozen or more Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) swooping over the marsh.

 

My first two Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) of the year!

 

 

 

 

 

More Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) at the far western portion of the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bubbles and ripple reflections in the outlet stream.

 

March 19th.  The last full day of winter.  Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) and a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).