Waterfowl Count 1-4-2001

Home

United States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Weekly Waterfowl Population Summary

Calendar Week (Sun.- Sat.): Dec.31-Jan 6th, 2001

Census Date: 1/4/01

Whistling - Duck		Ring-necked Duck	1,288
Tundra Swan	3	Greater Scaup
Trumpeter Swan		Lesser Scaup
Mute Swan		Oldsquaw
Gr. White-Fronted Goose		Black Scoter
Snow Goose	4	Surf Scoter
Canada Goose	19,603	Common Goldeneye
Wood Duck		Bufflehead
Green-winged Teal	45	Hooded Merganser	116
American Black Duck	1,528	Common Merganser
Mallard	33,826	Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Pintail	130	Ruddy Duck
Blue-winged Teal		Adult Bald Eagle
Cinnamon Teal		Imm. Bald Eagle	1
Northern Shoveler		Golden Eagle
Gadwall	495	Scaup
American Wigeon	433	Unknown
Canvasback
Redhead		American Coot	49

	Geese	Ducks	Coots	Swans
Total	19,607	37,861	49	3
Preceding Week (%change)	+34%	-14%
Preceding Year (%change)	+626%	+308
10 Year Average (%change)	+101%	+10%

NOTE: %change = difference divided by former population level.

Supplementary Information

Waterfowl Activity: Refuge waterfowl distribution remains similar to last survey, although there were distinctly less ducks in the Cumberland River channel. Geese and ducks were primarily found in two areas, river channel and Elk Reservoir. For geese this survey, distribution was 41% using the river channel and 43% found in the wheat field and open water of Elk Reservoir unit. This week ducks sighted in river channel dropped to 5% while the percentage of ducks sighted at Elk Reservoir increased by 91%.

Hunting Pressure and Success: No data available.

Weather: Temperatures at the beginning of the week were still unseasonably cold with a Tuesday morning low being 6F. Weather moderated as the week progressed, morning lows rose to the freezing mark and afternoon temperatures came up to the mid 40's. By Friday, ice covering the impoundments began cracking. On survey date all creeks and bays and South Cross Creek were iced over. Other than the river and about 60 acres in Lee Creek, Elk Reservoir was the only area that had significant open water.

Habitat: Again this week ice on refuge impoundments determined waterfowl distribution. Based on field observations, ducks and geese have eaten most of the corn in Pools 2, 3, Lower Pool 4, 6, and 8. Large groups of geese were also observed feeding in winter wheat in Pool 3, Upper Pool 4, and Elk Reservoir.

Census was complete____xx____ Census was a sample ________ Percentage of population covered 100 %

Census Date: January 4, 2001 Ground Survey

Reported by: Walter H. Neasbitt, Acting Refuge Mgr

Home

*Kentucky Lake Outdoor Guide- Fishing, Hunting and everything outdoors......*