New York Waterfowl Count
January 10-18, 2004

by Barbara Butler

 
Each year in January, the New York State Ornithological Association (formerly the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs) conducts a ground survey of wintering waterfowl in the state.  We did our part by dividing up the Hudson into 3 sections.  Teams covered each section on Saturday the 10th and also covered adjacent ponds and streams.  Other club members also covered ponds and streams in the rest of the county.
 
The weather the week before was fairly warm — no snow cover, little ice.   Then a few days before the count period, bitter cold arrived and stayed.  By count week, ice was everywhere.  The only open ponds/lakes were those with large goose gatherings to keep them open — Rudd Pond, Hunns Lake, Stissing Lake, and Dotty's Pond.  Sylvan Lake had only a small open area.   Streams were mostly frozen, except for the larger, swift ones.   We did find some Mallards and mergansers on streams.  The river was about half ice-covered at the start of the count period, increasing through the week.
   
Dotty's Pond is along Route 82, just south of the Dutchess/Columbia border.   Dot Fleury found it a few years ago and told us how good it was for waterfowl.  We looked for a name for it and couldn't find one, so, for the bird club, we'll call it Dotty's Pond.  On it we found the only Pintails and Green-winged Teal of the count.  It's an interesting place in the summer too, with Marsh Wrens and Virginia Rails.  It's not a pond, exactly, but an area of open water that is part of a marsh.

Dot Fleury had found 2 Greater White-fronted Geese at Rudd Pond and later at Dotty's Pond the week before the count. Several groups looked for them during the count, but they eluded us.   Then on the 17th, Art Jones found them on Hunn's Lake.  That made 17 species for the count.  We usually find Canvasbacks and Ruddy Ducks, but none this year.

Thanks to all who braved the cold to participate.  Special thanks to Barb Michelin and Chet Vincent for leading the groups that covered sections of the Hudson River.  Other participants:

Compiler: Barbara Butler

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

Wings Over Dutchess, February 2004

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