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United
States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Weekly Waterfowl Population Summary
Calendar
Week (Sun.- Sat.): Jan. 12 - 18, 2003
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Whistling - Duck
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Ring-necked Duck
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370 |
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Tundra Swan
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1 |
Greater Scaup
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Trumpeter Swan
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Lesser Scaup
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Mute Swan
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Oldsquaw
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White-Fronted Goose
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Black Scoter
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Snow Goose
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Surf Scoter
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Canada Goose
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1,835 |
Common Goldeneye
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|
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Wood Duck
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Bufflehead
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Green-winged Teal
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161 |
Hooded Merganser
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52 |
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American Black Duck
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716 |
Common Merganser
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Mallard
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14,400 |
Red-breasted Merganser
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Northern Pintail
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35 |
Ruddy Duck
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Blue-winged Teal
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Adult Bald Eagle
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Cinnamon Teal
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Imm. Bald Eagle
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Northern Shoveler
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Golden Eagle
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Gadwall
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832 |
Scaup
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American Wigeon
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85 |
Unknown
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Canvasback
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Redhead
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American Coot
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35 |
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Geese
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Ducks
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Coots
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Swans
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Total
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1,835 |
16,651 |
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Preceding Week (%change)
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-46% |
-47% |
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Preceding Year
(%change)
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-67% |
-46% |
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10 Year Average (%change)
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-85% |
-56% |
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NOTE:
%change = difference divided by former population level.
Supplementary Information
Waterfowl Activity: Nighttime lows temps have become
cold enough to cause ice formations on all shallow water. As is typical
when impoundments begin to freeze over, most waterfowl were observed in
south Cross Creek and Elk Reservoir. No waterfowl were seen in the main
river channel or bay on the north of river.
Hunting Pressure and Success: Waterfowl harvest appear to be slow
because refuge has gotten increased number of calls asking if refuge
waterfowl numbers have increased.
Weather: All night time lows were well below freezing, with coldest temp
around 12o F. Daytime high were generally between 30 o F - 40 o F. Snow
storm moved through middle TN on Thursday (Jan 16) bringing heaviest
snowfall of the season so far. Between 5" - 7" of snow fell through the
refuge. Assume windy conditions on survey late kept waterfowl piled up
against the banks in Elk Reservoir.
Habitat: Most shallow water were waterfowl had been feed were frozen
over or covered with snow. Only feeding behavior observed on this survey
was along banks and bay protected from wind in south Cross Creek and Elk
Reservoirs.
Census Technique: Census complete Census was a sample X
Percentage of population covered 90%
Observation was based on Ground counts.
Census Date: Jan. 17, 2003
Reported by: Walter H. Neasbitt, Refuge Mgr.
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