An initial count of Common Goldeneye that were actively feeding was  75.  
Then a Bald Eagle flew overhead and the gathering took flight settling  once 
again in good view.  Before the Common Goldeneye were sufficiently  relaxed 
to commence diving again, I made a second count, this time 145.   There is 
obviously a factor of 2 in this single observation but it does suggest  the 
number recorded when a raft of diving ducks is actively feeding is  probably 
going to be on the low to very low end of the actual number  present.
 
Lake Bomoseen-Castleton (2360 acres), Rutland, US-VT
Dec 13, 2011 9:50  AM - 12:05 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:      Temperature 28-34 degrees F.  Ice appearing both at north 
and south end of  lake.  Observations made from 8 stations around the lake.

22 species

Canada Goose  66
American Black Duck   2
Mallard  83
Greater Scaup  1
Lesser Scaup   3
Bufflehead  2
Common Goldeneye  145     Checked  for Barrow's.
Hooded Merganser  48
Common Merganser  6
Bald  Eagle  1     Adult.  Digiscoped image revealed metal  band on right 
leg and possible red/orange band on left leg.
American  Coot  46
Ring-billed Gull  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy  Woodpecker  2
American Crow  8
Black-capped Chickadee   7
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
European  Starling  32
Northern Cardinal  1
House Finch   8
American Goldfinch  1

This report was generated automatically  by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/vt)


Cheers,
Roy Pilcher
The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland,  Vermont

Speaking the same language.