Mason Neck SP & Pohick Bay Park Boat Ramp – February 14, 2026

Our group of six gathered at the Mason Neck Visitor Center on a crisp morning that started in the 20s, but with the sun shining and the winds calm, it wasn’t long before we were enjoying a beautiful warm-up into the 50s. We began by scanning Belmont Bay, which remained largely locked in ice. While the frozen conditions kept us from seeing the sheer volume of birds we might expect on an open-water day, the pockets of open water to the south still held a respectable variety. We tallied a large raft of 1,300 Lesser Scaup and an impressive 600 Common Mergansers, a notably high count for this stretch of the river. We also enjoyed views of 35 beautiful Tundra Swans and 40 handsome Canvasbacks. Because the Bay View Trail was too icy to navigate safely, we improvised and stuck to the parking lot areas. Nature provided its own drama there, as we watched two male Eastern Bluebirds in a spirited dispute over a nest box, a clear sign that spring isn’t far away.

We then moved on to Pohick Bay Regional Park Boat Ramp, a move that paid off by putting us right in the middle of the action. The “ice effect” was on full display here, as the frozen water forced birds to congregate in the open end of the bay, creating an accessible mix of waterfowl. This concentration allowed for excellent side-by-side study of species, including close-up views of Canvasbacks, Redheads, Ruddy Ducks, American Coots along with both Greater and Lesser Scaup. The morning’s highlight, however, was the continuing Red-necked Grebe. This rarity for our area was easy to distinguish from the smaller, but still exciting, Horned Grebes, offering a genuine thrill for the group. While the inaccessible woods meant our list was light on forest birds, the unique conditions provided a memorable day of diving ducks and winter specialties.

eBird Checklist – 14 Feb 2026 – Mason Neck SP–Visitors Center

eBird Checklist – 14 Feb 2026 – Pohick Bay Regional Park–Boat Ramp