[va-bird] Williamsburg, waterfowl scarce

On Nov. 22 the William & Mary Ornithology class searched the Williamsburg area 
for waterfowl.  They are later than usual this year, for example, no 
ring-necked 
ducks were found, which is unusual at this date.  The York River produced just 
300 Ruddy Ducks and 15 Bufflehead at Felgate's Creek, along with 2 black 
ducks, four hooded mergansers and 10 Tundra swans at Kings Creek.  The 
James River produced no diving ducks, but one flock of 10 blacks, 4 mallards, 3 
hooded mergansers and a Gadwall was found in a pond near the terminus of 
Treasure Island Road on the Colonial Parkway.  Lake Matoaka had the usual 
flock of 15 green-winged teal and 20 gadwall, as well as opne errant lesser 
scaup.  A flock of 20 Rusty Blackbirds there was smaller than in recent years, 
but any rusty blackbirds is still a treat.  Good numbers of double-crested 
cormorants, hooded mergansers, ring-billed gulls and eagles are congregating 
at the partially-drained Lake Powell, where fish are concentrated in the 
remaining water.  A deep freeze will be necessary to the North for the local 
Christmas Count to produce it normally robust numbers of waterfowl.


Daniel A. Cristol
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
College of William & Mary, 
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg VA 23187-8795, USA
PHONE: 757 221-2405
FAX: 757 221-6483
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