Mid-Winter Waterfowl Inventory (aka: Duck Count) 2022 Report

[cmtrain]

Hi All,

 

Here is the Duck Count report and results, and the overall lake results.

 

Mid-Winter Waterfowl Inventory (aka: Duck Count) 2022 Report

 

Count date: January 9^th, 37^th year

(The following is based on count data from 1986 to date)

 

As always, I want thank the 25 counters who experienced above zero temperatures, modest winds and little or no precipitation, a much better day than other count days this season.

 

Count background: The count started in 1946 in the Toronto area and has expanded since then. Hamilton has some records from the 60’s, and consistent records from 1986. The range of the count now is from Kingston to Niagara. A copy of Glenn Cody’s report - the overall count compiler - is attach in the email.

For this report, I will use the term Survey to refer to  Glenn’s results.

Our part is from the West side of Bronte Creek, Oakville to 50 Road, Grimsby.

George Naylor compiled our section for 26 years.

 

We produced a species count of 30, above the average of 29, though below the count high of 34 in 2004. The total number of birds was well below average at 25,596, with the average being 45,534, giving this year a ranking of 25. There were eleven Bald Eagles found, tied for second highest, behind 2014s 18 birds.

 

Count highs this year were Northern Shoveler (154), (143), Red‑breasted Merganser (1,021) and Double-crested Cormorant (118). Hooded Merganser and Double-crested Cormorant both had big increases this year from their previous highs, 44 and 61 respectively, while Northern Shoveler and Red-breasted Merganser had modest increases of 4 and 3 respectively. The numbers in brackets are this years highs.

This is only the fourth year that there have been more than three high counts for the year.

For the Survey, along with Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, the following species were also Survey highs from our area: Pied-billed Grebe, Trumpeter Swan, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Canvasback, Ring‑necked Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck and American Coot.

Our contributions were the second highest individual count and highest species count.

 

Lesser Scaup (20), Harlequin Duck (1) and Red-throated Loon (1) were the count lows. Lesser Scaup has been on the count every year and this year ties its count low. Harlequin Duck and Red-throated Loon have been on the count 8 and 7 times respectively, with one bird being the usual number found.

 

Fourteen species were not found this year, based on being on at least two other counts.

Snow Goose (10), Greater White-fronted Goose (2), Brant (2), Tundra Swan (27), Whooper Swan (3), Blue-winged Teal (2), Wood Duck (19), Tufted Duck (3), King Eider (14), Black Scoter (15), Barrow's Goldeneye (2), Horned Grebe (15), Red-necked Grebe (13) and Common Loon (20). (Brackets indicate number of counts.)

Snow Goose (2010), Tundra Swan (2017) and Wood Duck (2018) have not been seen since the year in brackets. Of these birds, only the King Eider was not found on the Survey.

 

2021 was the last year we had a new species since 2010.

 

Of the most common and highest numbers species, the chart below shows their trends: Other than Red-breasted Merganser, the rest have had some decline in numbers.

Long-tailed Ducks, although getting numbers in the 20,000s in recent winter days on other counts, have declined since their hay days:

		2015		2014		2013		2012		2011		2010		2009		2008		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
Long-tailed Duck		7,691		41,248		9,952		36,724		24,981		20,714		12,130		15,798		68,920		83,946		29,886		13,624		40,362		39,865		53,847		54,549

Counters: Dave Archbell, Jessica Banas, Simon Carter, Mike DeLorey, Bev Douglas, Kevin Empey, Brett Fried, Debbie Garbe, Erika Hentsch, Beth Jefferson, Bill Lamond, Joyce Litster, Catherine Manschot, Nancy McHardy, Chris Motherwell, George Naylor, Mary Beth Neibert, Joanne Redwood, Dorlisa Robinson, Dianne Seed, Mike Seed, Mary Ellen Starodub, Liam Thorne, Rob Waldhauber and Joan Wallace.

 

Until next year, explore, enjoy and discover.

 

Chris Motherwell

Count Complier

 

		2022
Total Birds		25,596
Total Species (no sp. Or Hybrids)		30
Count Firsts
Species		n
Cackling Goose		2
Canada Goose		2,398
Mute Swan		54
Trumpeter Swan		126
Northern Shoveler		154
Gadwall		116
American Wigeon		2
Mallard		4,329
American Black Duck		100
Northern Pintail		4
Green-winged Teal		7
Canvasback		172
Redhead		90
Ring-necked Duck		55
Greater Scaup		3,159
Lesser Scaup		20
Harlequin Duck		1
Surf Scoter		117
White-winged Scoter		1,947
Long-tailed Duck		5,207
Bufflehead		268
Common Goldeneye		2,688
Hooded Merganser		143
Common Merganser		2,406
Red-breasted Merganser		1,021
Ruddy Duck		12
Pied-billed Grebe		2
American Coot		77
Red-throated Loon		1
Double-crested Cormorant		118
duck sp.		800
Bald Eagle		11
Participants		25
Rank - Numbers		25th
Rank - Species		14th

 

 

 

 

[Graham Whitehead]

Hi guys n gals,

Not sure if it's of interest to you but look what has popped up in Eastbourne in Sussex UK. Hundreds have been to see it and it's made the national press.

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[Paul Riss]

Sure would be kind of them to toss us a Redwing… in return.

Paul Riss
PRBY Creative Services

punkroc...@gmail.com

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hamiltonbirds/CA%2B2SzogZQ_OsvjTW23eSmz7Swx9qOMEM-vBKdihmhHvgG1uwMw%40mail.gmail.com.
<image001.png><image003.png><image003.png><IMG-20220209-WA0003.jpg>

[Peter Scholtens]

Gentlemen, local rarities only please.

Thank you,

Peter

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[Colleen Reilly]

Just drawing attention to a correction on this - any bird topic is welcome on Hamilton Beginning Birders forum, also called the Hamilton Birding Community.

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[Paul Riss]

An AMRO showed up in the UK.

Paul Riss
PRBY Creative Services

punkroc...@gmail.com