Kids & Family
DEEP Waterfowl Survey: Numbers Are Generally Up
The annual waterfowl survey found numbers of the birds are generally up, some at their highest levels in more than a decade.
By Corey Fyke
A release from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection:
Staff from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) conducted the annual Midwinter Waterfowl Survey on Jan. 8 and 9, 2014.
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The survey is conducted throughout the Atlantic Flyway, and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends. The Atlantic Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Atlantic Coast of North America and the Appalachian Mountains.
In Connecticut, the survey is conducted from a helicopter and a census is obtained from the coast, the three major river systems, and selected inland lakes and reservoirs.
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Survey conditions for the 2014 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey were excellent, with extremely cold weather preceding and during the survey. Large blocks of ice were present on all three of the major rivers (Thames, Connecticut, Housatonic), most inland waterbodies were frozen, and many coastal marshes were icebound. The midwinter survey is designed to index wintering waterfowl that have been pushed to the coast when inland waters freeze.
The total number of ducks observed during the survey was 19,375. This is higher than both the five-year and 10-year averages. The puddle duck count of 10,141 was twice the recent five-year average of 4,734, and well above the 10-year average of 3,700.
The scaup count was the highest since 2011. Scaup were observed in many areas on the survey, albeit in smaller groups than normal. Scaup wintering numbers in Connecticut continue to be lower than historical counts. The decline in the continental scaup population continues to be a concern for biologists nationwide. Habitat changes on the scaup’s breeding grounds may be a factor in the long-term decline of the population. Atlantic brant numbers were lower than in previous years, while Canada goose counts were the highest since 1994.
Following a recent trend, many puddle ducks (particularly mallards) were observed in urban sanctuaries, often associated with supplemental feeding activities.
“The Department discourages citizens from feeding waterfowl for a number of reasons, including increased risk of disease transmission, potential for poor nutrition, and a clouding of the real issue facing waterfowl and wildlife in general in Connecticut — loss of suitable habitat,” said Rick Jacobson, Director for the DEEP Wildlife Division.
The Department has published a brochure, “Do Not Feed Waterfowl,” that outlines the potential hazards of feeding waterfowl. It is available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/game/NoFeedWF.pdf.
Connecticut Midwinter Waterfowl Survey
Results for Major Species*
Species 2014 2013 5-yr. Avg.
Atlantic Brant 1,100 900 1,400
Black Duck 4,800 3,100 2,700
Bufflehead 1,100 1,000 1,000
Canada Goose 7,600 4,100 3,700
Canvasback 100 100 100
Mallard 4,300 2,300 1,900
Merganser 1,100 1,300 1,200
Mute Swan 600 500 700
Long-tailed Duck 600 400 300
Common Goldeneye 1,000 500 800
Scaup 5,000 2,400 2,400
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* rounded to nearest hundred
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