Winter Waterfowl Survey--November 2012

A total of 292 Canada Goose were observed on Bantam Lake, Nov. 28, 2012.
Photo By Bob Stanowski.

Nicki Hall and I conducted the first Winter Waterfowl Survey for the winter season 2012-2013 on Wednesday, 28 Nov. 2012 from 10:08 a.m. - 2:02 p.m.  The sky was partly cloudy gradually become overcast with a gentle breeze mostly from the north and gradually changing from the north-northwest.  The temperature for most of the survey was in the high 40's degree Fahrenheit.  The water remained calm and the birds were not disturbed by any other factors, therefore counting the birds was quite easy.  We observed several large rafts of Canada Goose, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, and American Coot.  We did not observe any neck collars on the Canada Goose, which are applied and used by CT DEEP Wildlife Division for monitoring local goose populations.  Other noteworthy non-waterfowl species observed included 1 Great-Blue Heron, 1 American Bald Eagle juvenile, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk juvenile, and 1 Belted Kingfisher.  The only ice cover observed that affected the bird's usage of any water-body was at Cemetery Pond and Little Pond, where few if any birds were observed.  We count from a total of 8 other sites around Bantam Lake, of which the highest abundance of birds and greatest diversity of species were observed in the North Bay and the Bantam River Outlet, two favorite bird-watching locations among our birders.  Although not as many individual birds were observed in the South Bay, this location did produce 4 species, another noteworthy location among birders.

Species Grand Total
Canada Goose 292
Mute Swan 15
American Black Duck 19
Mallard 168
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 39
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 120
Common Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 12
Common Loon 1
American Coot 61
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 2

Emerald Ash Borer -- Early Detection Grant Awarded From Seherr-Thoss Foundations


Connecticut Towns where EAB was initially detected in 2012 (circle)
and location of White Memorial (square).  

We are pleased to announce that we were awarded monies that will be used for the construction of 15 double-decker purple prism traps over the next two summer seasons (2013-14) from the Seherr-Thoss Foundations.  These traps are used to detect Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that attacks ash trees and was recently documented in 5 Connecticut towns for the first time in July 2012.  These traps differ slightly in design from the canopy traps that have been deployed throughout the state but have been recently documented to be more effective at finer scale surveillance projects.  The traps will be deployed throughout White Memorial's property and will add to the effective detection of EAB that the state employs on the property.  In previous seasons, the statewide surveillance project deployed traps throughout the property and girdled ash trees near the campground.  White Memorial has also incorporated the used of Cerceris Wasps as bio-surveillance tool at a total of 4 colonies.  To date, EAB has not been detected at White Memorial but since the state is considered colonized, we wait for the eventual colonization of EAB throughout the state.

White Memorial's Winter Waterfowl Survey Protocol Developed

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
http://wiseacre-gardens.com/wordpress/category/winter/page/22/


Rationale:  Certain local waterfowl species are difficult to survey during the breeding season because they breed in isolated and protected water bodies.  Federal and State wildlife agencies conduct various waterfowl surveys in the winter to assess the population for management objectives.  These surveys include harvest waterfowl surveys, aerial surveys, and site specific surveys.  Bantam Lake and adjacent water bodies are commonly utilized by a variety of waterfowl during the winter months.  Since waterfowl harvesting is not permitted on these water bodies and aerial surveys are more feasible when surveying large flocks or rafts of birds in concentrated areas, Bantam Lake is best surveyed by counting birds from the lake shore.  All waterfowl species are counted including loons, grebes, cormorants, swans, geese, ducks, coot, and gulls.  The data collected in this survey is shared with wildlife agencies and other organizations that express an interest.

Survey Time and Dates:  Each survey will be conducted on one day on each interval in Late-November, January, and Early-March.  The survey will be conducted during daylight hours, primarily between 0800 – 1615 EST. 

Methods and Materials:  All waterfowl species, sex, and age are tallied.  Waterfowl will be counted using binoculars and spotting scopes at several predetermined locations.  Each survey count site will be conducted for at least 10 minutes but no more than 30 minutes.  Waterfowl will be counted as surveyors drive between the locations such as birds in flight or birds in small water bodies along the way.  Ice cover, weather, number of counters, and potential disturbances to birds (ice fisherman, ice boats, etc.) will be recorded.  Counts will not be conducted when wind is over 15 mph, heavy fog, or when winter road conditions are not safe to drive. 

Count Sites:  Sites will be visited in this order

  1. Litchfield Town Beach looking south and east throughout North Bay.
  2. North Shore Rd. Bantam River Outlet Bridge looking down river and in close proximity to the bridge.
  3. Point Folly Observation Platform looking throughout the mouth of the outlet and points south and east towards Marsh Point.
  4. Point Folly Peninsula looking along Marsh Point, Deer Island, and southeast Bantam Lake shoreline.
  5. Point Folly/White Memorial Campground Store Parking Area looking west and south toward Deer Island.
  6. Keeler Cove for a short stop to look in the cove.
  7. CT DEEP Boat Launch, Morris, CT looking throughout South Bay.
  8. White Memorial Canoe Club, Van Winkle Rd., Morris looking further south and north into North Bay.
  9. Cemetery Pond, Litchfield counting from Whites Woods Rd.
  10. Little Pond Boardwalk counting birds throughout the pond.