More Winter Visitors--Common Mergansers

Every December, our annual visitors from the waters of the north--Common Mergansers--land in Middle Cove in Essex, Connecticut. First, the red-headed females land, followed several days later by the males.

When the temperatures dip well below freezing, like this week with highs in the teens and twienties, the cove will ice over. However, the bubblers near the marina docks keep the water ice-free. The mergansers find sanctuary there.

Today, there was one male, in its white body and bright green head, flaunting its deep red bill, showing off to 10 females all swimming near the ednge of the ice. I finally got my camera later in the day to find only the male still around.