Plymouth Grist Mill

Plymouth Grist Mill Sign

One of the great places to photograph waterfowl and other birds in Plymouth, Massachusetts is Jenney Pond, because it is the location of the Jenney Grist Mill. Its actual name is Arms House Pond and is located in Town Brook Park. Year-round, there is a resident population of Mallards, Canada Geese and Mute Swans. In the warmer months, Wood Ducks can be also be found there. There are chances of seeing mammals such as muskrats and turtles in the pond. There is a bridge bisecting over the pond from which you can photograph. Black-headed night herons breed at the pond in the summer, along with mute swans and Canada geese. The waterfowl that remained year-round have become somewhat tame since people come and feed them. One problem, however, is that the people usually feed bread. So when I see people feeding bread I talked to them how this is unhealthy for the birds and that corn is a much better food and more natural for them.

Feeding

Once fall and winter arrives, the number of species found there increases. In fact, you never know at any one day what you will find. I have seen and photographed Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye’s, Ring-Neck Duck, Hooded Mergansers, Red Breasted Merganser, Gadwall and some other species. The best time to photograph is when there has been a number of days with the temperatures below freezing so that the pond ices over, but the lower end usually remains ice free and concentrates the waterfowl making it easier to photograph them. In the winter. There is a lot of courtship display among the ducks which give you into resting subjects to capture.

Mallards Mating

Hen Hooded Merganser Feeding

Ring-necked Duck

Drake Wood Duck In Eclipse Plumage

Mute Swan under the Bridge

An overcast day is better than a sunny day, because of the location of the sun, since the pond runs in an easterly to a westerly direction. Portions of the bank are elevated above the water, so you need to get down low, but you are still shooting down on the birds. Other sections of the bank are just above the water and you can shoot directly at the birds.

Bridge over the pond

photographer photographing in the bushes

Because it is a town park, there is adequate parking and the only major problem is people walking their dogs. So if you have a chance this winter and are in the vicinity of Plymouth, Massachusetts, come and visit Jenney pond and enjoy the scenery and all the birds that are in the area.