Fall 2020 LOCALadk Magazine 29
LOCALadk
Female mergansers nest in tree cavi-
ties, or more rarely in nest boxes. Char-
acterized by a rufous head with a shag-
gy crest, they are often obser ved with
a dozen or more cute offspring in tow.
These young mergansers will stay with
their mother from late May until the
fall months when they head to unfrozen
bodies of water for the winter.
Ever yone is likely familiar with the Great Blue Heron, a common summer resident of
our riparian areas. They usually nest in loose colonies in wetlands near streams and riv-
ers. They primarily feed on minnows, but opportunistically they will snatch other small
critters that come within their reach.
The duck most commonly obser ved in the river (and
in Adirondack lakes) is the Common Merganser. These
fish-eating birds occur here year-round. Male mergan-
sers are striking birds with a dark head, red bill, and
much white visible on the breast and sides. Like most
ducks, male mergansers take no responsibility for in-
cubation or taking care of their young.
