Black-bellied Whistling Ducks: A first for Howard County

For the first time in recorded Howard County Bird Club history, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were reported in the county. On April 25, 2022, Diane Eidelman reported a flock of 13 at Wilde Lake to eBird at 8:30 AM. Many local birders went off quickly to see these birds, who were napping on the shore. After 2 hours, they awoke and foraged in the grass for 50 minutes before flying down the lake to a snag above the dam where they remained for 6 hours sleeping. The tree they decided to rest in was 10 feet off the pathway so many got fantastic, close looks at these rare birds. They continued through dusk until their departure during the night and were not able to be located the next morning at the lake or nearby.
There were at least 75 eBird reports and many more on social media. They were quite docile and surprisingly not bothered by the birders and non-birders using the pathway. Thanks to one of our bird club members, Kelsey Wellons, for providing some video of their napping.