Nineteen Common Goldeneyes and a pair of Buffleheads have touched-down on the river about midway between the bridges—up from four on Nov. 18. The upsurge is due to the arrival of a group of females (15), who now far outnumber the males (4).
The one juvie who arrived with the original vanguards is to the far left. He's brownish with a white spot under his eye. Yes, young males resemble females through their first fall and winter. By next fall (2026), he'll have transitioned to typical male plumage coloring of white and black, with a greenish sheen to his head.
Note the size of his head compared to the two males to the upper right. The females seem drawn to him as he leads the group. Maybe he's special!