Waterfowl are often present in the reservoir area upstream from the Wilder Dam on the Connecticut River in spring, fall, or even winter when there is not an ice cover. Viewing can be done from either the Vermont or New Hampshire shorelines, but a spotting scope often needed for a good view. This fall, and most recently this morning, I have repeatedly seen, during brief visits, a few (sometimes just two) Mallards in the vicinity of a flock of often eight or more Common Goldeneyes in what appears to be deep water.  The goldeneyes are great divers and often are repeatedly submerged for many seconds at a time while presumably harvesting underwater plants. Mallards ordinarily feed by tipping up (dabbling) to get their food in shallow water and seem to be less capable of lengthy dives, although in the Upper Valley Mallards sometimes make repeated shallow dives. As was the case this morning, not all the Mallards on the reservoir have been with the goldeneyes. Some Mallards were closer to the New Hampshire shoreline and a few by themselves cruising over deeper water. I'm wondering whether those Mallards staying around the goldeneye flock might be getting pieces of plant food somehow brought to the surface by the goldeneyes. If Mallards aren't getting food, why else would they stay with the goldeneyes in the deeper water? Waterfowl might gain protection from predators by being in flocks, but the goldeneyes might not seem to be very good flocking companions for the Mallards because much of the time goldeneyes are underwater.

Does anyone have other observations or suggestions about this association?

George Clark
Norwich, VT


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