Bob Mauceli, President of the RBA, sets up a telescope for others to observe the ducks floating in the distance.

The group lines up for personal observations of waterfowl in the distance.

Longtails, formerly called Oldsquaw by Native American Indians, come in for a landing off Charlotte beach.

What's everyone looking at?

On a cold and luckily only slightly windy recent Saturday morning, about 40 birdwatchers, many of them beginners, walked out on the ice pier at Charlotte looking for ducks and other migrating waterfowl. Led by Brett Ewald, a local biologist and naturalist who has specialized in bird migration and distribution patterns, the time was spent looking through telescopes, binoculars and telephoto lenses. Ewald searched across the Genesee River channel with his 60x telescope, pointing out the location of mergansers, scaup, and scoters off in the distance. Nearby, a number of mallards floated in the frigid waters, looking for treats. The field trip, sponsored by the Rochester Birding Association, was designed for people who wanted to learn about local birding hot spots and polish their bird identification skills. Sites visited included the Charlotte pier, the RG&E's Russell Station and Braddock Bay, the last site a little disappointing owing to a frigid night which provided an icy covering, driving a number of ducks and geese and swans to open water far across the bay. A couple of Trumpeter Swans were seen, making that part of the trip worthwhile. The next beginning birder field trip, Owl Woods and Hawk Watch Site, is set for Saturday, April 16. For information call 225-7004 or 381-2189 or visit the website: www.rochesterbirding.com. Text and photos by Walter Horylev.