Federation Waterfowl Count
January 12-20, 2002

by Barbara Butler

 
We found an unusual ice situation for the Waterfowl Count this year. The count period was preceded by a week or so of nighttime temps in the teens and 20s and only slightly above freezing during the days. The other significant factor was the well-below-normal rainfall for the past summer and fall, reducing the water flow in streams and into ponds and lakes. The result was ponds 80-100% ice-covered and many streams frozen. Yet the Hudson River was completely open. Only a little floating ice at Clermont. The only large concentration of waterfowl in the river was at Clermont.. Just "odds and ends" south of there - plus 300 Canvasbacks near Newburgh. We found no new species for our count, but the twenty species tallied was a record (by 1).
 
Also a record was the 22,422 Canada Geese. Dot Fleury found 8000 at Rudd Pond. Round Pond had 3500 and Twin Lakes (in Pine Plains) and Sylvan Lake had 3000 each. Plus several hundred in many other places adds up to almost 5000, more than our previous high count..
 
Other record high counts were Wood Duck (thirteen at Wappingers Lake by the trailer park), Northern Pintail (seven at Round Pond and two at Wappingers Lake, also by the trailer park), and 2118 Mallards. The Common Loon found near New Hamburg was a good find. Only the fourth time we've had one on the Waterfowl Count. And the Blue-winged Teal was the second time - found at Twin Lakes.
 
Thanks to all the participants. Special thanks to Chet Vincent and Barb Michelin for leading the middle and south river parts of the survey and to Dot Fleury for covering the eastern provinces. The full list of participants includes Elaine Andersen, John Balint, Barbara Butler, Betsy Carswell, Binnie Chase, Peggy Fasciani, Dot Fleury, Sue & Bob Infante, Barb Michelin, Mona & Fred Payton, Mary Ann Pitts, Carena Pooth, Peggy Rudis, Kay Sisson, Chet Vincent..
 

To compare these results with those of past counts, see our Waterfowl Count page.

Wings Over Dutchess, February 2002

Read Other Stories