Embedded Files
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
(formerly Fulvous Tree Duck)Dendrocygna bicolorFulvous Whistling-Duck
A change in work hours turned out to be pure serendipity for Webster birder Robert Spahn on 30 November 1979. The Kodak Park research associate had worked an 11 p.m to 7 a.m. night shift, on top of his normal day shift, and was on his way home to try to catch some sleep before heading back to work. He decided to stop by Irondequoit Bay outlet. It was perfect timing. About 8 a.m. two birds flew by, headed east, at very close range. They were just above eye level. “They looked funny, sort of loon-shaped with long necks and feet sticking out the back,” Spahn recalled. Best of all, they had all the markings of Fulvous Whistling-Duck. Spahn hurried home – not to sleep, but to call other birders. Unfortunately, the birds were long gone.Nonetheless, the region had its first record of these “oddly gooselike” ducks that are prone to wander north. (Sibley, p. 80; KB 30:32)
Background
Fulvous Whistling-Duck is “one of the most widely distributed species of waterfowl in the world, occurring mostly in tropical and subtropical regions,” according to a profile of this species by William L. Hohman and Sarah A. Lee in The Birds of North America series. It expanded its range northward into the southern United States beginning in the mid to late 1800s, becoming established in rice-growing regions of the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain in the early to mid 1900s. “Erratic wanderings by individuals after the nesting season, especially since the 1950s, have produced numerous reports of vagrants” as far away as the eastern Great Lakes region. (BNA, 562:1)
Status
Casual, very rare visitant (only two accepted records).
Occurrence
Two on 30 November 1979 (R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay outlet. Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 30:32, 202)One on 3 September 1981 (R. Spahn et al), “thoroughly studied by many” at Salmon Creek, had all the field markings except light under wings (KB 32:40). This created uncertainty among some observers, but the sighting was accepted by NYSARC. (KB 32:229) Not accepted by NYSARC was a report of four near Manitou Road and Ontario Parkway, Monroe Co., 8 November 1987. “This report was previously accepted by our Committee (KB 38:229),” the committee noted. “However, the NYSARC has changed its decision based on careful review of the details and new information received.” (KB 40:211)
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescen Bill Symonds arrived at the lakeshore in Kendall on 24 March 2004, hoping to relocate a male Barrow’s Goldeneye he had seen a few days earlier. He found the Barrow’s all right. He also found the lake “covered with Snow Geese.” The lake was calm. The geese were in a huge flock, but not tightly packed, and were just resting, most of them fairly close to shore. Symonds completed his count and then, about an hour later, Dave Tetlow arrived. Symonds, without revealing his tally, asked Tetlow to count them too. Remarkably, they both came up with very similar estimates: about 5,800.It was not only a record tally for the west lakeshore, but a number that would have astounded area birders as late as the 1970’s, when this was still considered an uncommon migrant. Even 5,800, however, pales in comparison to recent tallies farther east in Wayne County, along this species’ traditional flight path.All of which might seem a cause for celebration. But it isn’t.If anything, there are now too many Snow Geese for their own good, and for the good of other wildlife species that rely on the tundra breeding habitat these birds now degrade and destroy with overfeeding. In fact, some wildlife specialists are warning of an impending “major ecological disaster.”Snow Goose
Background
On the morning of 6 December 2006, Ann Cady Jenson, new to the Geneseo area from Maine, saw nine snow geese flying over her home in Piffard. “I had never seen them before in Virginia and Maine – the two places I have lived since the 1970s – so it was special for me. . . . I heard them for about 30 seconds before I saw them, and I was trying to figure out what I was hearing; I didn’t think of birds immediately. I have some experience with foxhounds and that’s just what it sounded like to me!”Indeed. As Mowbray, Cooke and Ganter write in their profile of this species for The Birds of North America, “Your first indication of their presence is the distant sound of baying hounds. As you look up, you see the sky flecked with tiny white moving shapes, which appear like snowflakes drifting lazily across the azure sky.” This is one of the most abundant waterfowl species in the world, breeding north of the tree line from Russia to North America to Greenland. Moreover, since the 1960s, this species has been increasing “exponentially” in most parts of its range, causing considerable management concerns because of overfeeding and subsequent destruction of large areas of arctic salt marsh. Populations in the Central Canadian Arctic and on Hudson Bay are of fairly recent origin and also appear to be expanding. Some birds from Hudson Bay migrate along the east coasts of Hudson and James bays to a staging area at Rupert Bay, Quebec; from there they migrate south through extreme southeast Ontario, western New York and Central Pennsylvania to Chesapeake Bay. (BNA 514: 1, 4, 7, 27-28)“There doesn’t seem to be a single answer to explain the cause” of the “phenomenal” increase in Snow Goose populations, notes one online discussion on the “Snow Goose Population Problem” offered by the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. “Much evidence suggests changes in winter food availability is a primary factor.”For example, “the recent development of large-scale farming operations devoted to one crop, such as corn or cereals, have produced an unlimited supplement to the snow goose’s traditional diet and led to improved survival of the geese during winter and during migratory stopovers,” according to an online profile of this species at Hinterland Who’s Who, a joint undertaking of the Canadian Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Federation.As a result, an abundance of waste corn, wheat and other grains “sets the table” for high survival of young-of-the-year geese on their first migration south, and provides a ready source of nutrition for breeding geese headed back to the arctic in spring.Climatic changes causing earlier snow melt have allowed the geese to expand into new breeding areas; countless refuges and management areas have further aided their migration. “This ‘gravy train’ of easy living has likely helped to increase survival rates and productivity” – even as the number of waterfowl hunters has decreased.
Local history
Until at least the 1960s, the two color phases were considered separate species by most authorities. Eaton (1910) wrote that the white morph, specifically the subspecies known as Greater Snow Goose, was an uncommon species in New York, and more likely to be found along the coast and the Hudson-Champlain valley than in western New York. (Eaton I;228) He considered the dark morph, a separate species called Blue Goose, to be “one of the rarest waterfowl which visit the waters of New York State.” (Eaton I: 229) He listed no occurrences of either for Monroe, Livingston or Wayne counties.The first record of any kind for western New York, it appears, was a female Blue Goose taken as a specimen on 5 April 1913 at Lake Ontario north of Brockport. (B&M, p. 122) This sighting does not appear in Horsey’s listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, but another one does: A Blue Goose at “Rigby’s Bluff” from 17 to 25 November 1934.Edson apparently overlooked this when he reported that a sighting of two Blue Geese in April 1940 at Mendon Ponds “seems to be the first record of this species in Monroe County.” (WBR, 22 April 1940) In any event, by the mid 1900s, this was the color morph of Snow Goose most likely to be seen in western New York. For example, when Leo Tanghe tallied sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester for 1951-1954, there were only 9 sightings of the “Snows,” but 45 of the “Blues.” (KG 5: 69: 1A-2A). These likely included sightings at Montezuma and Oak Orchard —just outside the current boundaries of our region. As many as 130 Blue Geese were in our area in late October/early November 1949, according to Edson. (WBR, 10 November 1958) Single birds lingered until 12 and 20 November at Braddock Bay. (GNR) Another 100 were seen on 6 April 1969 (Kemnitzer) at Rose’s Marsh with seven white-phase Snow Geese. (KB19: 150) Thirty was an interesting tally on 11 October 1971 (Mulrey) at Letchworth SP. (KB 22:29) “From the evidence at hand it appears that ‘Blues’ predominate in the western portion of the state (Niagara River east to Montezuma Refuge), and ‘Snows’ are greatly in the majority in the eastern sections,” John Bull (1974) observed. (Bull, p. 105)More recently, however, Blue Geese no longer predominate in our region. They constituted only one percent or less of the total during a 1998 influx (LG May 1998) and during spring 2000 (LG May 2000) when, conversely, Blue Geese constituted nearly 90 percent of the tally at Montezuma. (Notes to March 2000 GNR) And Symonds tallied no more than 40 Blue Geese in that memorable flock of 5,800 off Kendall. Still, a flock of 101 Blue Geese was observed 5 November 1999 at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch (Ewald and Sherony, p. 34) and another 65 were tallied there 2 November 2004. (LG, January 2005) In the meantime, the white phase was not even recorded in Monroe County – indeed anywhere in western New York – until the mid 1930s. Horsey cited individual snow geese on 27 March and 7 April 1935. The 27 March sighting was at Irondequoit Bay. (WBR, 1 April 1935) Guelf reported 24 on 14 November 1947 “in the wheat fields near Hamlin.” (B&M, p. 121)By the early 1950s this species was reported more frequently, but even in 1958, Edson considered Snow Geese to be “As a rule . . . rare here.” (WBR, 27 October 1958) In 1974 it was still considered an “uncommon spring migrant in our area.” (KB 24: 73) That applied in fall as well. Sixty-five at Honeoye Lake on 19 October 1975 (B. and E. Molyneaux) was considered “unusual” for the area. (KB 26: 37) “The Snow Geese seen in western New York in the fall are stragglers from the eastern edge of their normal migration route, which usually follows a line from James Bay to the mouth of the Mississippi,” Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) wrote. (B&M, p. 121) Fall birds seldom mingled with Canada Geese, they noted. Spring birds, however, were almost always seen with Canadas, “leading us to suspect that our spring Snow Geese are representative of the comparatively small number which regularly winter with the Canada Geese along the Atlantic coast of the southeastern states.” The huge increase in breeding populations noted above has produced a corresponding increase in numbers of migrants seen here, primarily in spring. Large numbers congregate just outside our region at Montezuma NWR, no doubt contributing to the large numbers now seen in Wayne County, especially in the Savannah mucklands. (KB 56: 148) Even along the west lakeshore, large concentrations are becoming more frequent. For example, in spring 1993, “The waterfowl event of the season was the appearance of hundreds of snow geese (white and blue) on the west lakeshore, where more typical counts can be tallied on one hand,” Bob Spahn noted. “Were these displaced from their usual haunts by the frozen main pool at Montezuma NWR? Many were observed flying SE toward the end of the month.” (GOS, May 1993) The 715 on 27 March that year (Davids) along the west lakeshore were among “unprecedented numbers” that spring. (KB43: 219-221)Five years later, in March 1998, huge numbers in Wayne County (see maxima below) “set regional high counts by factors of 100x,” Spahn observed. (GOS, May 1998)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, fairly common to common spring transient, and an irregular, uncommon fall transient. Since then, it has been reported as an abundant transient in some springs, and appears to be increasing not only at that season, but as a winter visitant, especially when the weather is mild. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an occasional uncommon winter visitant, a (presumably regular) uncommon spring transient and an irregular fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 6 March to 22 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 March to 6 April. Subsequently, 500 on 21 February 1998 (Kimball) at Geneseo Flats were listed as an even earlier “first” of spring. (GOS, April 1998) Also earlier: a “Blue” Goose on 21 February 1997 (Marcotte) at Hamlin. (GNR) In most years had departed by 15 May, with a late departure date of 27 June. Spring maxima: 500 on 21 February 1998 (Kimball) Geneseo Flats. (GNR) 15,000+ on 7 March 1998 (R. Dobson, Gillette) in Wayne County. (KB 48:223) 2,000 on 21, 28 March 2001 (Kimball) Nations Road. (KB 51:697; LG May 2001) 5,800 on 24 March 2004 (Symonds, D. Tetlow) and for several weeks after, resting on Lake Ontario off Kendall. (GOS July 2004). 1,180 on 25 March 1998 (Marcotte) in a single field along North Hamlin Road in Hamlin. (personal notes) 10,000 on 25 March 2005 (Daniels) Savannah. (KB 55:270, LGNR) 85,000 on 25 March 2007 (T. Lenz) Savannah. (LG, May 2007)
Summer: Hardly ever encountered. Two on 24 August 1974 (Listman) at Kendall were “unexplained” and “very early.” (KB 25:35)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 10 September to 27 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 October to 1 November. In most years had departed by 14 December, with a late departure date of 24 January.Usually not recorded in large numbers in fall along the lakeshore, apparently because birds head for either Montezuma just outside the eastern part of our region, or Iroquois just to our west. The 3,000 on 24 November 2006 (Griffith) at Savannah reflects that. (LG, January 2007)Thirty-four on 29 September 1986 (Travers) at Webster was noteworthy (GNR). Only two sizeable flocks were tallied during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project – 37 on 11 October 1996 and 101 “Blue” Geese on 5 November 1999. “They either cross the lake at night or migrate mostly east and west of Hamlin,” Ewald and Sherony noted. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 34)
Fall maxima: 26,500 on 31 December 2006 (Gillette, R. Spahn) at Savannah. (LG, February 2007) 2,300 on 3 January 2004 (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Savannah. (LGNR)
Winter: As recently as 1993 considered “unusual” in winter. (KB 43:125) A maximum of six were at Elba all January of 1994 (KB 44:122), and 39 were at Braddock Bay (Marcotte) on 15 January 1997. (GNR) Recorded in our region on only five of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007: one (Blue) in 1975, 28 (Snow) 1997 and one in 2005, but 1,200 in 2006 and 7,000 in 2007, reflecting this species exploding population. Winter maxima: 7,000 on 30 January 2006 (D. Tetlow) in Savannah. (LG, March 2006) 20,000 to 64,000 on 2 and 1 February (R. Spahn, D. Tetlow), respectively, in 2006 at Savannah. (LG April 2006)
Ross’s Goose
Anser rossiiRoss’s Goose
For many years, the borrow pit ponds along the parkway in Kendall provided memorable sightings for Rochester birders. That was certainly the case on 2 April 1989 when Bob and Sue Spahn pulled off the parkway to look at two white geese on the far side of the “Island Borrow Pit” west of West Kendall Road. The black primaries, easily seen through binoculars, quickly indicated “snow-type” geese, not barnyard escapees. “The birds seemed small and the head and bill shape ‘strange,’ so we set up the scope to study them,” Bob wrote in his verification report. They seemed particularly small in comparison with the Canada Geese around them – only ½ to 2/3 the length and bulk – and relatively short necked. Moreover, “the heads seemed quite rounded with a small triangular bill just sort of stuck on the front” – not at all like the sloping forehead of a Snow Goose. A final clinching field mark: “We could not see any sign of the ‘grin line’ on the bill of either bird” that would be present if they had been Snow Geese.They were Ross’s Geese. “They were just standing there, in the front row,” Bob later recalled. “We were able to study them a long time.”
Background
This Arctic bird breeds only in North America, and in the early 1900s was considered a rare species, probably because of open market hunting on its main wintering grounds in California. However, since the 1950s its numbers have increased greatly, from about 2,000-3,000 individuals to more than 200,000 by the late 1980s, in part because of hunting restrictions and in part because it has shifted its winter diet from diminishing grasslands to increasing agricultural areas. With its increase in numbers has come an expansion of its breeding range, from the Central Canadian Arctic southeastward along the west and south shores of Hudson Bay. Chief wintering range is still in the west, but “as Ross’s Goose population has increased, winter records away from traditional wintering areas have also increased.” (BNA 162: 2-3, 18)Indeed, reports of this primarily western species have “increased dramatically in eastern North America during the last two decades,” NYSARC noted in 2002. (KB 52: 11) Two years later, multiple birds were being seen annually in New York, but observers were cautioned to rule out the possibility of a hybrid Snow x Ross’s Goose. (KB 54: 285) However, by 2006, the number of reports had increased so steadily that NYSARC removed species from its review list. (KB 56:5)This increase is “perhaps a direct reflection of the growth of the population as a whole,” however, “increased observer vigilance may also be a factor.” (KB 53:283)
Status
Now a regular but rare visitant.
Occurrence
The increase in sightings statewide has been reflected in our region. There have been nearly annual sightings since 1997. 1. Two 2 April 1989 (R. and S. Spahn) at Kendall was the first regional record. (KB 39:171; GOS, September 1989) 2. One 15 January 1997 (Marcotte) Braddock Bay. (KB 47:127) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 50:20) 3. One 21 December 1998 (J. Fox) on the edge of a farm pond in the town of Geneseo. (KB49:145) It was in the company of 40 Canada Geese. Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 52:307) 4. One adult 11 March 1999 (D. Tetlow) Galen. (KB 49:233) 5. One 28 March 1999 (P. Fahey et al) Hamlin. (KB 49:233) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 52:305) 6. One adult 31 March-1 April 2001 (D’Anna, Fox) Lyons. (KB 51:697) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 53:283) 7. One 18 September 2002 (D. Tetlow, mob) Irondequoit Bay. (KB 53:49) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 54: 285) 8. One 10 April 2003 (R. and S. Spahn) Carlton. (KB 53:233) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 56:5) 9. Two 8-10 March 2004 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin. (KB 54: 230) 10. One-two, 20-27 March 2004 (Chapin, Sherony, Symonds, R. Spahn) Kendall. (KB 54: 230) 11. Two 23-25 March 2005 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin. (KB 55: 270) 12. One 25 March 2005 (D. Tetlow) Pt. Breeze. (KB 55:270) 13. One 2 January 2006 (D. Tetlow) Savannah. (KB 56: 150) 14. One 11 March 2006 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin. (KB 56: 240) 15. One 13 March 2006 (R. Spahn) Kendall. (KB 56: 240) 3, 2 on 19, 24 November 2006 (McGowan et al, Griffith) at Savannah. (LG, January 2007) 1-2 on 16, 23 March 2007 (D. Tetlow et al) Hamlin. (LG, May 2007) One on 31 March 2007 at Savannah. (LG, May 2007)
Misc. Two Ross’s X Snow Goose hybrids were reported on 19 November 2006 (McGowan et al) at Savannah. (LG, January 2007)
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsGreater White-fronted Goose
As Mike Davids drove down the parkway on 6 March 1980, he debated whether to pull off at Braddock Bay and take a look around. It was about 6 p.m. “Probably too late,” he thought, then got off at the exit anyway. That will come as no surprise to his birding colleagues; if there’s a moment to spare, the former Hilton high school math teacher will spend it on his favorite pursuit! He raced to the east spit, then the west spit, and basically saw little of interest. Except for the Greater White-Fronted Geese. Thirteen of them, that is, sitting on the ice near the middle of the bay.“This can’t be,” Davids later recalled marveling to himself. “There wasn’t hardly anything else out there.”Anyone who has scanned through tens of thousands of Canada Geese milling in the fields of the west lakeshore, hoping to find just one, or two, or perhaps even three of these geese, will realize why this was such an extraordinary tally. It still stands as the most Greater White-fronted Geese ever seen at one time, by far, in our region. Best of all, this memorable flock “spent the next week and one-half quietly resting on the Bay’s receding ice or lazily feeding in nearby cornfields in the morning,” Chip Perrigo noted. “Evidently, the social ties among these geese are quite strong for such a record number of vagrants to wander so far from their mid-Western flyway.” (LG, April 1980)
Background
The arctic distribution of this tundra-nesting species is nearly circumpolar. In North America there are two breeding populations – Pacific and Midcontinent – extending from Point Barrow, Alaska to northeastern portions of the Northwest Territory. (BNA 131:1) Another subspecies breeds in western Greenland. Two subspecies have been recorded in New York. (Levine, p. 142)
Local history
Through the 1960s most sightings in New York were regarded with skepticism because “as with many other kinds of waterfowl, the White-fronted Goose is also kept in captivity,” John Bull (1974) observed. (Bull, p. 104) Hence, the possibility that birds seen in the wild were actually captive birds that had escaped. Our first record, one that lingered from December 1932 to April 1933, may very well have fallen in that category. (“39 Species of Birds Found Passing Winter in Rochester,” D&C, 3 January 1933) It was “present for some time at Durand-Eastman Park where a flock of semi-wild Mallards was kept and fed in the winter months,” O’Hara noted in his history of the Rochester CBC. (O’Hara, p. 40) “The bird could fly but was suspiciously tame and may well have been an escaped bird,” according to another account in the Goshawk. “Under these conditions it seems to the writer best not to accord it a place on the local list.” (GOS, January/February 1954) However, a male shot in 1968 on Long Island had been banded as a juvenile in Saskatchewan. “This banding record has an important bearing on the status of the species in New York,” Bull noted, “as it definitely establishes the White-fronted Goose as a wild bird occurring within the state” (Bull, p. 104). One found 28 March 1964 (R. Dobson, Kemnitzer, McKinney) at Point Breeze, Orleans County, “may be the first acceptable record for our area,” Miller wrote. “There are two previous records, but one may refer to an escaped bird and the writer has been unable to trace the other.” (KB 14:98)Seven years then elapsed before another was seen 2-3 October 1971 (Czech) in Webster (KB 22:29), and then another eight years before the next sighting. On 14 March 1979, Glenn “Chip” Perrigo, Roger Clark and Bill Symonds patiently sat in their car, enveloped by an intense snow squall. They were waiting for the weather to clear so they could resume their perusal of a flock of Canada Geese and Whistling Swans along Sawyer Road just south of the parkway. They were rewarded by suddenly finding two white-fronted geese “jumping up and down and apparently going through spring courtship antics,” John Brown reported. (BA, 21 March 1979) A third bird was nearby. Later in the day, a fourth bird was seen.This sighting was significant in two respects: it was the first record involving more than one bird, and it marked the beginning of nearly annual sightings in our region. “Although they are quite regular in the Oak Orchard-Iroquois complex, it was a long overdue surprise to find multiple ‘specklebellies’ within our own regional boundaries,” Perrigo wrote. (LG, May 1979)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a sporadic, very rare visitant. At that point there were only three records in the county. This remains a rare migrant here. However, patient perusal of Canada Geese along the west lakeshore now turns up at least one to two each spring. It has been increasing as a fall visitor as well.
Occurrence
Of about 56 records since 1964, all but eight have been in spring.
Spring: This species has been found on a range of dates from 15 February (1997) to 27 May (1984). As many as nine were at various locations in Parma and Hamlin during March 1998. (GOS, May 1998) Spring maxima: 13 on 6 March 1980 (Davids) at Braddock Bay. (KB 30: 166) 4 on 14 March 1979 (Clark, Perrigo, Symonds) at Point Breeze. (KB 29: 145) 4 on 20 March 1998 (Marcotte) at Hamlin. (GOS, May 1998)Fall: Four records: one on 2-3 October 1971 (Czech) at Webster (KB 22:29); one on 20 October 2002 (Ewalt) at Hamlin (KB 53:49); one on 30 October 2006 (Guthrie) at Lima (LGNR) and four on 19 November 2006 (G. Chapin) at Hamlin. (LGNR)Winter: Four records, all recent. Single birds were seen on 5-15 and 24 December 1999 (K. Fox) at Lima and at Conesus Lake, respectively (KB 50:160); four were at Victor (F. Beltz, J. MacLean) from 3-10 December 2000 (KB 51: 610; LG, February 2001); and one to two were at Savannah (Lenz, R. Spahn) from 22 January-2 February 2006. (LG March, April 2006; KB 56:150) (Note: Six reported on 16 December 2006 at Letchworth SP during the Letchworth/Silver Lake CBC were later suspected of being domesticated geese and withdrawn from the tally – per com. Bob Spahn.)
Misc.
Kurt Fox’s first documented sighting for Livingston County – an adult from 7 November 1999 into December at a farm pond in Lima – led him to caution against trying to also determine subspecies. “Colloquial knowledge indicates that the two can be readily separated by bill color: albrifrons (the North American race) has a pink bill, whereas flavirostris (the Greenland race) has an orange bill. This is where the problems lie.”“Knowing this beforehand, I studied the bill carefully, made mental notes and returned home to look at my National Geographic field guide. I saw the pink-billed bird and said ‘Aha! that’s it.’ Then I saw the orange-billed bird and said ‘Aha! that’s it.’”Fox returned the following day with his wife Jeannine, and asked her to identify the bill color, without mentioning his previous experience. “Mere minutes apart, both Jeannine and I indicated different colors.” The direction the bird was facing seemed to change the appearance of the bill’s color. Fox suggested that local birders follow the advice of Kenn Kaufman that “subspecies names not be applied to sight records in northeast North America.” (LG, Jan 2000)
Misc.
Kurt Fox’s first documented sighting for Livingston County – an adult from 7 November 1999 into December at a farm pond in Lima – led him to caution against trying to also determine subspecies. “Colloquial knowledge indicates that the two can be readily separated by bill color: albrifrons (the North American race) has a pink bill, whereas flavirostris (the Greenland race) has an orange bill. This is where the problems lie.”“Knowing this beforehand, I studied the bill carefully, made mental notes and returned home to look at my National Geographic field guide. I saw the pink-billed bird and said ‘Aha! that’s it.’ Then I saw the orange-billed bird and said ‘Aha! that’s it.’”Fox returned the following day with his wife Jeannine, and asked her to identify the bill color, without mentioning his previous experience. “Mere minutes apart, both Jeannine and I indicated different colors.” The direction the bird was facing seemed to change the appearance of the bill’s color. Fox suggested that local birders follow the advice of Kenn Kaufman that “subspecies names not be applied to sight records in northeast North America.” (LG, Jan 2000)
Brant
Branta berniclaBrant
On 18 October 1989, Frank Dobson emerged from the relative shelter of the towering oaks and beeches onto the lakefront at Hamlin Beach SP and was confronted with an abrupt change of scenery. “The lake was wild. White-capped waves crashed the stone jetties protecting the shore. Even the broad three-foot trunk of an oak offered little protection from a steady wind that must have dropped the wind chill to the teens.” That didn’t stop a “huge flock of dark birds approaching from the west, just off shore.” Dobson focused his binoculars on the birds, which skimmed over the surface. They were Brant. Hundreds of them “strung out and easy to count, by tens. I watched in elation as over 500 winged by.” More flocks appeared. Eyes tearing in the wind, Dobson retreated to his van and continued counting. He tallied 2,720 “give or take,” all heading east. “I wondered how many more there might have been before I took up my lake watch.” (Birds, 29 October 1989)
Background
This goose breeds in Arctic regions across North America, Europe and Asia. Eelgrass is the preferred food during the non-breeding season; in fact “no other goose species relies so heavily on a single native food plant,” note Reed, Ward, Derksen and Sedinger in their profile for The Birds of North America. “A Brant feeding on leaves of eelgrass grasps one end of the ribbonlike blade and appears to suck it in rapidly, but the blades must be manipulated within the buccal cavity, because blades are stored in the esophagus in neatly folded individual clumps.”This species’ reliance on eelgrass proved disastrous during the 1930s when a wasting disease caused extensive losses of the plant on both coasts of the North Atlantic and to a lesser extent on the Pacific Coast, “resulting in dramatic decline in number of Atlantic Brant.” There was a “substantial but incomplete recovery” of the Brant population in following years as eelgrass recovered in some areas and Brant adapted to alternative foods. In fall, Atlantic Brant stage at James Bay, then depart overland, most flying nonstop to the coast at Long Island and New Jersey. In spring, they return to James Bay along two main routes. One group flies up the New England and Maritime coasts to the Gulf of St Lawrence, then overland to James Bay. The other group flies overland toward the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers, and then on to James Bay. (BNA 337: 5, 9, 18)
Local history
“Large, irregular flocks and long, undulating lines of these small, dark geese began appearing shortly after dawn, flying eastward over Lake Ontario, continuing throughout most the morning despite adverse weather conditions and unfavorable winds,” Allen Kemnitzer reported in 1965. (WBR 1 November 1965) For members of a GOS field trip at Hamlin Beach SP that 23 October, it was a spectacle they would not have seen only 20 years before. “Its line of migration is almost entirely along the coast,” wrote Eaton (1910), who considered this only an accidental visitor in Monroe County. He cited one undated specimen taken at Irondequoit Bay. (Eaton I: 234, county charts. Note: Edson gives the date as December 1877) Horsey doesn’t even mention this species in his list of birds seen in and around Rochester from 1913-1936. There were no other records until this species was reported 22 April 1939 from the “marshes north of Hilton on Lake Ontario,” Edson wrote. (WBR 1 May 1939) Beardslee and Mitchell identified the location as Shore Acres. (B&M, p. 116)“Up to about ten years ago this salt water goose was almost unheard of anywhere in western New York,” according to another local account in 1954. (GOS, January/February 1954) This paucity of sightings was probably due to the dramatic decline in this species’ numbers in the 1930s and 40s when its primary food, eelgrass, was attacked by disease. (see Background above) The Brant adapted its diet and recovered its numbers, thanks in part to being on the protected list in 1948, 1949 and 1950. (B&M, p. 117) By the late 1940s sightings began to pick up along our lakeshore: One 19 May 1946 at Braddock Bay provided our third record (WBR 3 November 1958); one in spring 1947 was at Manitou and there was a “small flock in a swamp on the north side of Honeoye Village” in April 1949. (WBR, 25 April 1949) Beardslee and Mitchell cite a “pronounced migration” that spring at Braddock’s Bay, starting with two on April 12 and ending with four on June 10. “The spring maximum of 62 was seen on May 15 during the spring count of the G.O.S.” at Braddock Bay and Shore Acres. (B&M, p. 117; GOS May/July 1949) It is ironic that these early sightings were all in spring, since it is less commonly seen at that season than in fall. However, after 1949 it was also recorded here in steadily increasing numbers during fall migration, starting with an “unprecedented” estimate of 600 seen on 22 October 1950 on the lake near Rochester. (B&M, p. 117) These were observed, ironically, not by Rochester birders but by two Buffalo observers, Robert F. Andrle and Albert J. Wright, who were driving north from Montezuma when they noticed what appeared to be a small flock of Brant flying southeast.They arrived at Durand-Eastman in mid-afternoon and almost immediately spotted 45 flying “east low over the waves about two hundred yards offshore.” For two hours they kept count as the Brant kept coming “out of the northwest in irregular string formations numbering from 50 to 200 birds each.” They noted the short, black necks; the rather pointed, quick-beating wings; the white neck patch on some of the closer birds, and the “characteristic undulating flight as the flocks rose and fell now and then. . . As we were there only part of the day, very likely many more came through” than the 600 they tallied. (GOS, September/December 1950)Three years later, 1,450 were tallied on 1 November at Hamlin Beach SP. (B&M, p. 117) Only a “few” were observed in fall 1954 when the maximum daily count was a mere four birds (KB 4:103), but an “outstanding” flight was recorded in 1958, when an estimated 5,000 were tallied by a Genesee Ornithological Society field trip on 26 October along the west lakeshore, and another 1,500 were reported by Listman two days later from Manitou. (WBR, 3 November 1958; GNR) Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, fairly common spring transient; a sporadic, rare summer visitant, and a regular, very common to abundant fall transient. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a casual very rare winter visitant and sporadic rare fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 9 April to 5 June, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 11 to 19 May. In most years had departed by 10 June, with a late departure date of 17 June (1951).Brant are much less common in spring than in fall. Indeed, in spring 1978, there were no records at all. (KB 28: 169)
Spring maxima: 425 on 27 April 2002 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 52:242) 400 on 15 May 1966 (Foster, Listman, T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay. (KB16: 158) They “flew out of Sodus Bay and headed straight north across the lake,” John Brown reported. (BA, 19 May 1966) 150 on 18 May 1980 (Sherony, D. Tetlow) at Perinton, the same day 25 were at Webster. (KB 30:166; LG, June 1980) 80 on 31 May 2000 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 50:282) 35 on 1 June 1950 (Bieber, Listman) west lakeshore. (GOS, June/August 1950) 25 on 2 June 1958 (Listman) at Manitou. (KB 8:79) 13 on 4-5 June 1949 (Dolan, Genesee Ornithological Society field trip) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May/July 1949) 13 on 10 June 1954 at Braddock Bay – along with a Blue Goose – were “not shy and one group (of birders) . . . approached within 30 feet and took photographs.” (GOS, May/Aug 1954)
June stragglers are mentioned in Region 2 Kingbird reports in seven of 30 years from 1975-2004. One “surprise straggler” was still at Braddock Bay from 5-11 June 1983 (KB33: 267)
Summer: One on 28 June 1993 (Davids, Symonds) was at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB43: 316) One on 14 August 1960 (Listman) was at Braddock Bay. (KB 10:101)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 2 October to 13 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 to 27 October. Sixty-three on 25 September 2001 (Sherony, Bounds) at Hamlin Beach SP were identified as “record early” in the Little Gull, Goshawk and Kingbird. However, 9 on 23 September 1981 (Griffith) at Russell Station were earlier. (KB 32:40) In most years had departed by 1 December, with a late departure date of 11 January. The bulk of fall migrants tend to move through very quickly, on average within eight days in late October or early November, according to data from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch. More than 90 percent were headed east, and were usually flying close to shore. The one time during the watch that large numbers – 1,400 – were flying west, it was with a strong northeast wind at their backs. The next day 1,340 were counted going east – believed to be the same birds that had reversed direction. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 34) A similar phenomenon may have been at work in 2002 when 7,000 flew west and 2,400 east at Hamlin Beach SP on 21 October. (KB53: 49)Average season’s count during the Lakewatch was 3,500. However, 10,729 flew by in 1999 when peak daily counts were 2,056; 4,302; and 4,242 (LG, December 1999) on 14, 18 and 24 October. In 1981, peak daily counts of 3,000+, 1,500, 1,548, and 6,000+ were tallied in October. (KB 32:40)“Thirty-five percent of all Brant seen at HBSP arrive one day after the passage of a cold front,” Ewald and Sherony observe (p. 34). “They are long distant migrants from the high arctic. It is possible that they leave after the passage of a cold front and ride this non-stop through Lake Ontario ... They leave the lake from the south shore along preferred pathways marked by specific features such as Sodus Bay.”However, large fall flights are not automatic. In November 1982, for example, the maximum tally of 475 that flew by on the 8th “could have been expected on several days” in most years, the LG noted. Instead, “Brant filtered along the lakeshore in dribs and drabs, with sightings of 12 to 80 birds being the usual report of observers on any given day.” (LG, December 1982) And the peak flight in fall 1995, for example, was only 294, on 29 October, despite a diligent lakewatch. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 34) Only 574 were tallied for the whole season.Perhaps the most dismal tally came in 1972 when “no flights were observed and only 7 birds were reported.” (KB 23:43)One of the most concentrated flights occurred on 23 October 1978 when Allen Kemnitzer tallied 2,600 streaming by Webster Park – in only one hour. (LG, November 1978) Tom Tetlow tallied more than 6,000 on 29 October 1981 at Sodus, in just three and a half hours. (LG, November 1981)It is not unusual for Brant to fly against strong winds. Hundreds were seen “beating their way eastward in the teeth of the gale” on 29 October 1973, for example. But in this case the wind was almost too much, John Brown reported, and “at times (the Brant) seemed to be unable to make any headway.” One flock “sat down for a short time on Braddock Bay. Another bunch was crowded on a sandbar in the Crescent Beach area for a while.” (BA, 1 November 1973)Jerry Czech, driving near his Webster home on 19 October 1975, noticed what at first seemed to be “a low dark cloud over the lake,” John Brown reported. “Under closer scrutiny it developed into a mass of dark waterfowl milling around over the water. Minutes later long strings of birds started heading inland over Hale’s woods, and Czech began hearing a chorus of confused gabbling in the sky. They were all Brant.”The flight headed in a southeasterly direction and “developed into a series of wavering columns covering a half mile or more. By the time they had passed . . . Czech’s conservatively estimated count was up around 1,700 birds.” (BA, 22 October 1975) Many of the Brant observed flying along the lake in late October 1992 by an RBA field trip were seen turning inland and heading south at Sodus Bay. (Birds, 15 November 1992)Kemnitzer, describing the 1965 flight, noted that “later, observations at West Manitou indicated that the impressive flight was still in progress, and flocks of 50 to 250 brant were reported streaming past Nine Mile Point until almost sunset.” In all, more than 6,500 were tallied on a day that also included a strong flight of scoters and Oldsquaw. (WBR, 1 November 1965; GNR) A remarkable coinciding of tallies occurred on 5 November 1977 when observers at three different points along the lakeshore came up with almost exactly the same numbers: Walt Listman counted 1,000 at Hamlin Beach, Pat Reister recorded 913 at Braddock Bay and Kevin Griffith tallied 986 at Durand Eastman Park. (LG, January 1978)These are not strictly flybys. In fall 1991, for example, a few lingered in the channel at the Irondequoit Bay outlet or on the beach just to the west, at the same time others could be found feeding on the mudflats at the south end of the bay. (Birds, 17 November 1991) In 1989, a flock of more than 200 “put down on one of the lakeshore ponds.” (KB 40:33)
Fall maxima: 7,000 going west (Spahn, Symonds), 2,400 going east (Symonds, D. Tetlow) on 21 October 2002 Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 6,500 on 23 October 1965 (mob) lakeshore. (GNR) 5,557 on 24 October 1971 (Lloyd) off Webster Park. (KB 22:29) 5,000 on 26 October 1958 (Genesee Ornithological Society field trip, Listman) west lakeshore. (GNR) 5,000 on 27 October 1979 (Listman, Sunderlin, Colsman) Manitou. (KB 30:32) 6,000 on 29 October 1966 (Listman) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 17:31) 6,000+ on 29 October 1981 (T. Tetlow) at Sodus. (KB 32:40) 6,000 on 4 November 1967 (Kemnitzer, Listman) lakeshore. (KB 18:32) 8,000 on 4 November 1983 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 34:42)
Interesting late “fall” tallies include: 5-12 to 18 December 1979, Braddock Bay (KB 30:107) 3 on 9 January 1983 at Hamlin Beach SP (KB 33:118) 3 on 11 January 1977 (McNetts) Irondequoit Bay outlet (KB 27:97)
Winter: Brant occasionally linger deep into the winter season, even after the record late “fall” date of 11 January. One was at Sodus Bay, for example, from 26 January (C. Cass, Clarridge) to 16 February 1983 during a particularly mild winter. (LG, February/March 1983; GNR)One lingered all of January through March 1994 at Irondequoit Bay (LGNR); another was observed on 12 January 1997 (F. and R. Dobson) at Troutsburg (KB47: 127); there were two in January and February 1998 at Irondequoit Bay (LGNR), and individuals were recorded at Braddock Bay and at Hamlin Beach in February 1999. (KB49: 145) Another 12-31 January 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Point Breeze (LG, March 2006) remained until at least 1 February. (LG, April 2006)Recorded in our region on 6 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 136 in 1992, with another 51 tallied two years later.Most unusual, for date and location, was one on 15 February 1998 at Letchworth SP. (KB 48:143)
Other winter maxima: 5 on 16 January 2000 (F. and R. Dobson) Troutsburg. (GNR)
Misc.
Walt Listman estimated 4,000 were flying east off Pultneyville on 4 November 1967. While that wasn’t a record tally, what made the flight particularly spectacular, was the view of “flocks passing through bright patches of sunlight between snow and rain squalls,” John Brown related. (BA, 9 November 1967)Black Brant is primarily a western subspecies. However, one was observed about a hundred feet offshore of the Rochester and Lake Ontario Water Service Corp. pumping station in November 1949, and was apparently the first report in our region. (WBR, 14 November 1949)Two more were at Hamlin Beach SP in 1984, an immature (C. Cass, Listman) on 7 and 8 November, and an adult (Robinson, Symonds) on 14 November. (LG, January 1985)
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisBarnacle Goose
Sharon Skelly was driving home from classes in Brockport on 11 March 1985, stopping at each field along Church Road in hopes of finding Snow Geese. “As I approached the last field I looked at my watch and then across the field. It was getting late, the geese were a long way away, and I didn’t see anything white. Oh well, it couldn’t hurt to stop and make a quick check.”No, she didn’t get her Snow Geese. Instead, within a few seconds, she found an entirely different bird through her binoculars. “All I could see was a pale grayish side. Two Canada Geese moved and my different bird raised its head. A white face on a black neck! I put my binoculars down, told myself to stop imagining things and then looked again. I wasn’t dreaming – it really was a Barnacle Goose! Somehow finding a Snow Goose didn’t seem to be that important anymore.” (LG, April 1985)In all, three Barnacle Geese were found, lingering into April. Two were immatures suspected of being hybrid CanadaXBarnacle Goose. (KB 37:201)
Background The “crude similarity of the head-and-neck pattern to the stalk and shell of the goose barnacle” provided this bird’s name. “An ancient theory produced long before the birds’ breeding grounds were discovered held that these barnacles, which attach themselves to flotsam and drift along the ocean currents, were in fact young Barnacle Geese,” note Steve Madge and Hilary Burn. Breeds in high-Arctic coastal regions, including small islands, in three main areas: Greenland, Svalbard, and Novaya Zemlya, wintering almost exclusively in northwest Europe. “Any individuals outside main areas likely to be escapes from captivity, as very popular in collections . . . Occasional birds reported from northeastern North America also perhaps of captive origin, but doubtless some are wild birds.” Total population was estimated to be about 85,000 in the early to mid 1980s. (Madge and Burn, p. 148)Any sighting in New York invariably raises an ultimately unanswerable question: Was this a rare vagrant from the wild populations of Europe and Greenland? Or was it a captive bird that had escaped from some private collection?“The Barnacle Goose is one of those species which is commonly kept in captivity and as such is virtually impossible to evaluate the dozen or so (at that time) occurrences within the state,” John Bull wrote in Birds of New York State (1974). Added NYSARC in 2006: “There is a large breeding population of Barnacle Geese in eastern Greenland, but little consensus exists concerning the interpretation of records of this species in northeastern North America. . . Although some North American records of Barnacle Geese are undoubtedly authentic (individuals banded in the Old World have been shot in Newfoundland and Ontario), NYSARC continues to apply a conservative standard to individual reports while awaiting stronger evidence of a regular pattern of natural vagrancy to our region.” (KB 56: 20)
Status
Casual, very rare visitant.
Occurrence
1. Members of a GOS field trip at Shore Acres on 4 April 1953, were examining a flock of Canada Geese resting several hundred feet offshore on Lake Ontario “when Robert McKinney pointed out a goose that looked different. Harry Van Beurden quickly recognized it as a Barnacle Goose. . . . The others present . . . soon concurred in the identification.” (B&M, p. 118; GOS, May-August, 1953)During its brief two-day stay the bird was seen by many observers. “There is a possibility, of course, of this bird having escaped from some game breeding ranch,” Edson acknowledged. However, he felt its presence with migrating Canada Geese up from the Carolinas, which had been marked by the Federal Wildlife Service, suggested it may indeed have been a wild bird that, “through some freak of fortune, came down the Atlantic coast instead of crossing over to Scotland with its fellows.” (WBR, 13 April 1953) Bull wasn’t convinced, however. There had been seven or more western New York occurrences, all late March and early April, all within 30 miles or so of each other during the years 1953 to 1957 and in 1961, 1963, 1967 and 1968, he noted. “It seems curious that all of these upstate occurrences were restricted to one general area and all within a space of 16 years and all in a short period (range of dates) of 23 days.” (Bull, pp. 103-104)2. Three 11 March – 24 April 1985 (S. Skelly, mob) in Hamlin. (KB 35:186) Interestingly, the 1985 trio was traveling with a “Richardson’s” Canada Goose. “The quartet matched perfectly the description of a group that was present in southern Connecticut” the previous autumn, Steve Taylor noted (LG, May 1985). Accepted by NYSARC as to identification, but origins uncertain. (KB 37: 201)3. One 12 March 1995 (Marcotte, mob) along Curtis Road in Parma (not Hamlin), resting in a field with hundreds of migrating Canada Geese. (GNR; KB 45:187, 189) Accepted by NYSARC as to identification, but origins uncertain. (KB 48:303)4. One 22 April 2007 (G. Chapin, mob) in Hamlin. (LG, June 2007)
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii “While looking over a flock of Canada Geese on Chase Road, Dick and Steve O’Hara and Allen Kemnitzer found a Mallard-sized Canada Goose,” Tom Tetlow, statistics chairman of the Genesee Ornithological Society, reported for March 1974. “To my knowledge, this is the first such report from our area in four years.” (GOS May 1974)Long before the various smaller races of Canada Goose were split into a separate species, they were noted here.For example, a female Richardson’s Goose was treated for an injured wing and remained at Ed Greco’s farm at Clarendon, Orleans County during the winter of 1976-77. (KB 27:97)Another accompanied the Barnacle Goose observed along the west lakeshore here during spring 1985. (LG, May 1985)Yet another “Richardson’s” Canada Goose was reported on 14 January 1990 (T. Smith, Travers, Sunderlin, Sherony) at Sodus Bay. (GOS, March 1990; KB 40:101) Another on 17 March 1999 was in Hamlin. (KB 49:233)But how many others were missed entirely because they were not a separate species and, therefore, birders weren’t looking for them or, even when they did see them, didn’t bother reporting them? Certainly, local birders have had no problem finding them – and reporting them – in far greater numbers since their split into a separate species.Cackling Goose
Background
This small goose, formerly considered a subspecies of Canada Goose, was split off as a separate species in July 2004. It combines four existing small-bodied forms: Richardson’s, Cackling, Aleutian, and Taverner’s. As the New York State Avian Records Committee notes in its 2002 annual report: “The ‘Richardson’s’ form (subspecies hutchinsii) of what is now called Cackling Goose has proven a regular visitor to western NYS and LI, and these well-documented reports of small flocks are a welcome contribution to our evolving understanding of the local status of this newly elevated species.” (KB 54:285-286)
Local history
Eaton (1910) reported a specimen of “Richardson’s” Canada Goose taken at Gaines, Orleans County, in 1888. Since the current Region 2 boundary runs through the middle of Gaines, this bird was either in our region or very near it. “It is probable that this subspecies is more common in western New York than these meager data would indicate,” Eaton wrote, “but it is overlooked by the ordinary observer, being considered merely the young of the Canada Goose.” (Eaton I: 233)
Status
Probably a regular migrant and winter visitor, but, as NYSARC notes, our understanding of this species’ actual occurrence is still “evolving.”
Occurrence
When the split became official, Rochester birders wasted no time documenting its presence: Single birds were reported in September, October and November 2004, then came five reports in December, from Hamlin Beach, Ogden, Lake LaGrange, Caledonia and Conesus Lake. (LGNR)The following spring “Cackling Goose was widely reported now that it is recognized as a full species,” Kevin Griffith reported. There were 17 reported from several locations from 17-31 March, and three more in April. (KB 55: 268, 270)Five were at Savannah (Davids, D. Tetlow) on 21 January 2006 (LGNR) with a total of 16 reported at various locations that month and again in January 2007. (LG, March 2007) Forty-six were reported from various locations in March 2007. (LG, May 2007) Maxima: 14 on 13 March 2007 (D. Tetlow) Braddock Bay. (LG, May 2007)
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisCanada Goose
Ten-year-old Susan Plante risked missing her school bus on 12 March 1968 when she ran back to her Webster home to tell her mother “It’s spring, it’s spring.” She had just seen a flock of Canada Geese fly overhead. (BA, 14 March 1968) “Traditionally the great V-shaped flocks of Canada geese in migration flight have been considered harbingers of warmer weather in the spring and colder weather in the fall,” columnist John Brown noted. “. . . the grace of their passage and the untamed quality of their calling have appealed for centuries to the imaginations of men on this continent.” (BA, 29 August 1968) “In early spring flocks of birds flying in long V-shaped lines and honking continuously are almost certainly to be Canada Geese on their way to northern breeding grounds,” John Bull (1974) wrote. (Bull, p. 99)However, today’s 10-year-olds can no longer be certain of the significance of a flock of Canada Geese they see flying overhead, even in March. They might be part of a burgeoning year-round resident population simply relocating from one park or golf course they’ve fouled with their droppings to another!
Background
Our most widely distributed goose in North America is also the most adaptable. Its breeding range includes flat, featureless tundra, boreal forests, prairies, high mountain meadows, wildlife refuges and suburban shopping malls and neighborhoods. (It also breeds in Greenland, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.) Interestingly, much as in western New York, “efforts to re-establish the Giant Canada Goose in its native habitat in the midwestern United States have been so successful that many birds have been translocated from areas where high populations have become a nuisance to areas outside the original breeding range,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America. “The result has been an expansion southward of the natural range that now includes areas of suitable habitat throughout the southern and southwestern United States. Many of these populations have lost their migratory habit and have become established as permanent, year-round residents in areas where they previously had occurred only in winter.” At the same time, since the early 1980s, “a major northward shift has occurred in wintering distribution of many populations of Canada Geese in North America . . .” In the Atlantic Flyway, geese in the Carolinas and Florida, which once made up 45 percent of wintering population, currently account for less than four percent, while wintering populations in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia are now more than 70 percent and the numbers wintering even farther north in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey continue to increase. “Important in this northward shift has been the change in winter food habits from native wetland plants and green upland forage to a predominant use of corn and other grain crops. . . Larger fields and widespread use of mechanical harvesters in the north have created secure feeding sites with an abundance of high-energy, carbohydrate-rich waste grain in close proximity to sanctuary provided by state and federally managed lands.” The increase of local breeding populations in many areas and subsequent mixing of resident birds with migrants during winter “has resulted in uncertainty of origin and racial identity that has created a multitude of management problems and may threaten the diversity of the species across its entire range.” Canada Geese are now considered a problem in more than 100 urban areas in 37 states. There is concern that the expanding Snow Goose population is impacting some northern breeding populations. Estimates of continental population range as high as 8 million. (BNA 682: 1-2, 9, 14)
Local history
Even in Eaton’s time, this was “probably the best known of all the waterfowl in New York State.” (Eaton I: 231) His charts of occurrence in Birds of New York (1910) indicate this migrant was common in Monroe County, uncommon in Livingston and fairly common in Wayne, and had also been recorded as an occasional winter visitor – appearing every few years – in Monroe.R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of seven to 30 birds in spring, with a maximum count of 200, and average counts of eight to 38 in fall, with a maximum count of 600 “in three flocks in 1934 on Oct. 30.”However, at that time it was seen only as a spring and fall migrant to and from wintering grounds (then) in the Carolinas and breeding grounds in Canada.Horsey, for example, gave spring dates ranging from 25 February to 4 May, and fall dates ranging from 27 August to 28 November, but no records at other times of the year.Even in the 1950s this species was only rarely reported outside of migration.During the first 10 years of the January Waterfowl Count, from 1955-64, Canada Goose was observed in Region 2 during only two of the years – two birds each in 1962 and 1964.And this species was only rarely seen here in summer. One on 13 June 1950 at Payne Beach was “among the most noteworthy records” that month. (GOS, June/August 1950) When Leo Tanghe analyzed the tallies from 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from January 1951 through December 1954, he found only two summer reports – both involving single birds – within a 50-mile radius of Rochester. (KB 5: 69, 1A-1B) “An occasional non-breeding bird may be present anytime during the summer,” the Goshawk advised. (GOS, January-February 1954)It was not present as a breeding bird anywhere in New York state before the 1930s, when captive birds were introduced, “although information on results of those introductions is not readily available,” Kevin Griffith noted. (Levine, p. 144) First records of breeding at Montezuma NWR and Oak Orchard WMA came in 1949 and 1950. (Andrle, p. 58) When five relatively tame birds showed up at Hamlin Beach SP in early October 1956, a state Conservation Department officer suggested “they may have been local birds,” John Brown reported. (BA, 4 Oct 1956) “He reports that four or five broods were raised this summer at the state’s Oak Orchard (refuge). A state attempt at reestablishing the Canada goose as a nesting species in the state is apparently gradually catching on.”Indeed. By 1961, at least 50 pairs were breeding at Montezuma and two years later more than 20 pair were breeding at Oak Orchard, according to Bull. (Andrle, p. 58)By 1968, new broods of these geese were increasingly being seen in August taking their “practice hops,” Brown reported. (BA 29 August 1968). As a result, “the passing of a flock of geese has become more and more dubious as a herald of a season.”By 1972, “Canada Geese now summer in this region as a result of induced breeding success nearby,” Richard O’Hara reported. (KB22: 168) Nine, for example, were at Braddock Bay (J. Skelly, mob) on 2 July 1974. (GNR). Fifty were still at Perinton (M. Tetlow) on 20 June 1975. (GNR).First report of nesting in this region was in 1975. (KB 25:214). A pair with a brood of eight goslings was found during a 26 July RBA field trip by Glenn “Chip” Perrigo “in the vicinity of one of the borrow pit ponds along the Lake Ontario State Parkway west of Hamlin Beach.” (BA, 6 August 1975) The next year, a pair nested and produced goslings in the Braddock Bay area. “The female was observed in early summer followed by five goslings in the vicinity of Roses Marsh,” Joseph E. Barra reported in the Goshawk. “Three of the young have survived and are presently becoming difficult to distinguish from the parents. Let’s hope they all survive the fall hunting season and return next year to increase their numbers.” (Notes to August 1976 noteworthies)Which, unfortunately, is exactly what the geese have done.Some indication of what lay ahead came in 1989 when a pair successfully raised young “at the message tower pond of Marketplace Mall in Henrietta.” (LG, August 1989)Within twenty years of the first breeding record, this species “seemed to nest in every suitable location in the Region,” Kevin Griffith observed. (KB 45:288) “An event of the season was the EXPLOSION of Canada Geese nesting on nearly every little pond in the Region,” Bob Spahn reported in 1997. (Goshawk, July/Aug 1997)It was reported that four different populations were appearing in New York state: 1) the traditional migrants that nested in northern Quebec and pass through to and from the Carolinas, 2) birds born in New York that winter around Chesapeake Bay, 3) birds nesting in southern Canada that winter in the St. Lawrence River Valley and 4) birds nesting in New York that don’t go anywhere else. (“Honkers find a home in the Finger Lakes,” D&C, 23 February 1992)“It is believed that the increase in nesting is due to dispersal and reproduction by descendants of the introductions, rather than wild migratory birds that have chosen to stay in the state and breed,” Griffith noted. (Levine, p. 144) Changes in farming practices have further aided and abetted the subsequent explosion in the goose population. There has been a shift to more row crops, which leaves fields littered with spilt corn and other grains that provide the geese with a ready source of food. Moreover, fields have been enlarged with the removal of hedgerows; geese are more comfortable foraging and resting in these fields because they can more easily spot the approach of potential predators. And to top it all off, suburban sprawl has created a proliferation of parks, golf courses, corporate centers and residential subdivisions with ample lawns near water that “provide ideal habitat for feeding and molting,” Kevin Griffith wrote in the 1998 update of Bull’s book. Why are these settings so attractive to Canada geese? Unlike many species of waterfowl that eat aquatic vegetation, the geese prefer to graze on land. “Fast growing grass that is cut frequently stays succulent and makes an ideal forage for them,” notes the Humane Society of the United States. (Grandy and Hadidian)The change in Canada Geese behavior, and in their interactions with humans, has been nothing less than startling.“They are exceedingly wary birds,” Eaton observed of the migratory populations in 1910. (Eaton I: 232) Indeed, it is interesting to read the accounts of pioneering bird photographer Guy Bailey of Geneseo, who would sit patiently in his portable photo blind in the early 1900s, hoping the wary Canada Geese of that era might wander within range. (Marcotte, p. 24)The modern resident Canada Goose is anything but wary, tying up traffic as they cross suburban streets and strolling nonchalantly within a few feet of people in parks. Large flocks now congregate anywhere with bodies of water: shopping malls, subdivisions, municipal parks and golf courses, and often become pests. The town of Brighton has resorted to oiling eggs, and using Border Collies, among other measures, to try to control a nuisance population there. (Marcotte, p. 43)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, abundant spring transient, an occasional, rare summer resident; a regular, very common fall transient; and a regular, fairly common to common winter visitant. Since then, a large resident population has become established year-round.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular fairly common to abundant winter visitant, a regular abundant spring transient, a regular fairly common summer resident and a regular abundant fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 16 February to 31 March, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 25 February to 21 March. In most years migrants had departed by 1 June, with a late departure date of 16 June.One hundred thousand were estimated to pass through the Rochester area during the last 10 days of March 1963 when only the migratory population was observed here. (KB13: 105) Frank Nicoletti recorded 186,000 passing Braddock Bay during spring 1988. (GOS, May 1988) Migratory birds congregate by tens of thousands along the west lakeshore each spring. Spectacular movements are not confined to the immediate lakeshore. Jeanne Skelly of Chili-Scottsville road recorded the following tallies of geese flying over her house: 7,825 in three hours on 28 February 1975 (BA, 5 March 1975); 5,398 on 21 February 1976 (BA, 25 February 1976); and 7,021 in five hours on 27 February 1977 (BA, 2 March 1977). More than 5,000 have been known to gather on the Groveland Flats or near the Genesee River below the Mt. Morris Dam or Nations Road. (Fox, p. 26)
Spring maxima: 75,000 on 28 February 1976 “on or near” the west lakeshore. (KB 26:102) 40,000-60,000 from 1-31 March 1983, Pt. Breeze-Kendall, west lakeshore. (LG, April 1983; KB 33:189) 50,000 on 9-10 March 1977 (mob) Braddock Bay. (LG, April 1977) 100,000 on 18 March 1979 (mob) along the west lakeshore. (KB29: 145) 37,525 on 20 March 1979 (Doris, McKeon, Schmale) west lakeshore. (LG, April 1979) 40,000 on 20 March 1980 (Kemnitzer) Braddock Bay. (KB 30:166) 30,000 on 9 April 1966 (R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (KB 16:158) 40,000-50,000 on 22 April 1978 (R. and S. Spahn) Kendall. (GNR)
Summer/Breeding status: One need only compare the first New York Breeding Bird Atlas project in the early 1980s, with the second conducted 2000-2005 for a dramatic and startling illustration of this species’ increase as a breeding bird here. The following breakdown indicates the number of blocks in which evidence of breeding was found in Region 2 during the two projects.
Interestingly, there were indications by the second BBA that these waterfowl were being displaced by the larger, more aggressive Mute Swans along the west lakeshore. (GOS, October 2004)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 18 August to 8 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 31 August to 25 September. In most years had departed by 23 November, with a late departure date of 12 December. Much less common than it used to be on the west lakeshore in fall, especially when it comes to using that area as a stopover for feeding and resting. This change first became noticeable in the mid to late 1970s. “Where were the Canada Geese?” inquired Bob Spahn in fall 1977. (KB 28:39) “Very few” were noted three years later. (KB 31:25) “Canada Goose migration has been abysmal throughout Western New York State,” Steve Taylor added in October 1981. “What route did they take this fall?” (LG, November 1981) And, “again, Canada Goose patterns are certainly changed,” Spahn noted for the October 1990 noteworthy records in the Goshawk. “No great flocks off the west lakeshore over extended periods.”Larger numbers occur in Wayne County, no doubt spillover from Montezuma NWR where this species is still abundant in fall. Good flights are still occasionally observed out over the lake. Fall maxima: 32,110 on 28 September 2001 (D. Tetlow, Bounds) migrating at Hamlin Beach. (KB 52:59) 5,000 on 7 October 1972 (GOS hike) west lakeshore. (GOS, December 1972) 5,000 on 11 October 1959 (R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (KB 9:161) 12,000 on 31 October 1978 (S. Taylor) at Newark. (LG, November 1978) 20,000 on 16 November 1986 (R. Dobson) near Savannah. (KB 37:35, GNR)
Winter: As many as 68 were at Braddock Bay in January 1949, when conditions were “more indicative of the type of weather one should expect in March,” according to the Goshawk’s January Field Notes. One hundred and twenty-five wintered at Shore Acres 1952-53 (Listman, mob), feeding on corn in the fields, then flying to the lake at night for protection from predators. This was another sizeable winter tally for that period. (KB3:13, GNR)Generally, however, this was not nearly as common in winter as it is now. One hundred and fifty on 9 January 1977 (Kampmeier) at Pittsford made the noteworthies list in the Little Gull. Two years later, 500-1000 spent the winter of 1979-80 at Kendall and Braddock Bay. (KB 30:107; LG, March 1980) Then 1,200 on 1 February 1989 (C. Cass) were at Conesus Lake after a mild January. (GNR)With the burgeoning resident population, much larger numbers are now possible in winter. The resident population migrates only when frozen out, and then only as far as necessary. Changes in agricultural practices have made it easier for these birds to remain in winter. The removal of hedgerows, creating larger fields to accommodate larger machinery, provides places where large flocks can gather with greater safety from predators. The increased emphasis on corn provides spilt grain for food.
The January Waterfowl Count for Region 2 has reflected this change. A similar explosion has occurred on Christmas Bird Counts.
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 18 August to 8 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 31 August to 25 September. In most years had departed by 23 November, with a late departure date of 12 December. Much less common than it used to be on the west lakeshore in fall, especially when it comes to using that area as a stopover for feeding and resting. This change first became noticeable in the mid to late 1970s. “Where were the Canada Geese?” inquired Bob Spahn in fall 1977. (KB 28:39) “Very few” were noted three years later. (KB 31:25) “Canada Goose migration has been abysmal throughout Western New York State,” Steve Taylor added in October 1981. “What route did they take this fall?” (LG, November 1981) And, “again, Canada Goose patterns are certainly changed,” Spahn noted for the October 1990 noteworthy records in the Goshawk. “No great flocks off the west lakeshore over extended periods.”Larger numbers occur in Wayne County, no doubt spillover from Montezuma NWR where this species is still abundant in fall. Good flights are still occasionally observed out over the lake. Fall maxima: 32,110 on 28 September 2001 (D. Tetlow, Bounds) migrating at Hamlin Beach. (KB 52:59) 5,000 on 7 October 1972 (GOS hike) west lakeshore. (GOS, December 1972) 5,000 on 11 October 1959 (R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (KB 9:161) 12,000 on 31 October 1978 (S. Taylor) at Newark. (LG, November 1978) 20,000 on 16 November 1986 (R. Dobson) near Savannah. (KB 37:35, GNR)
Winter: As many as 68 were at Braddock Bay in January 1949, when conditions were “more indicative of the type of weather one should expect in March,” according to the Goshawk’s January Field Notes. One hundred and twenty-five wintered at Shore Acres 1952-53 (Listman, mob), feeding on corn in the fields, then flying to the lake at night for protection from predators. This was another sizeable winter tally for that period. (KB3:13, GNR)Generally, however, this was not nearly as common in winter as it is now. One hundred and fifty on 9 January 1977 (Kampmeier) at Pittsford made the noteworthies list in the Little Gull. Two years later, 500-1000 spent the winter of 1979-80 at Kendall and Braddock Bay. (KB 30:107; LG, March 1980) Then 1,200 on 1 February 1989 (C. Cass) were at Conesus Lake after a mild January. (GNR)With the burgeoning resident population, much larger numbers are now possible in winter. The resident population migrates only when frozen out, and then only as far as necessary. Changes in agricultural practices have made it easier for these birds to remain in winter. The removal of hedgerows, creating larger fields to accommodate larger machinery, provides places where large flocks can gather with greater safety from predators. The increased emphasis on corn provides spilt grain for food.
The January Waterfowl Count for Region 2 has reflected this change. A similar explosion has occurred on Christmas Bird Counts.
The explosion in numbers of wintering geese has been especially evident in and around the Montezuma wetlands complex, particularly in the town of Savannah.
Winter maxima: 9,000 on 18 December 2004 on Lake Leroy, a “very small body of water” in the Leicester quadrant of the Letchworth/Silver Lake CBC, part of the record 15,194 tally for that count. (LG, February 2005) 25,000 on 29 December 2007 (R. Dobson, Gillette) at Savannah. (LG, February 2008) 21,798 on 30 December 2006 at Conesus Lake. (LG, February 2007) 30,000 on 3 January 2004 (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Savannah. (LG, March 2004) 25,000 all during January 2006, Savannah. (LG, March 2006) Misc.
Neckbanded birds provided added incentive to closely scan these flocks in the 1980s and 1990s. This birder logged 861 different neckbanded geese from 1992 to 1998 along the west lakeshore from Parma into Hamlin. Many of the birds were found to return to the exact same fields in subsequent years. One banded S8U, for example, got its collar in February 1992 in Maryland, and was seen in the same section of pasture in Hamlin for six straight springs. Many remained for weeks at a time to feed and rest. 9CR was observed over over a 55-day period in 1997. E3K9, reported by Bill Symonds in 1985, was relocated three different years by Bob Marcotte, most recently in 1997, making it at least 12 years old. P52M, banded in 1983, was relocated in 1998, making it at least 15 years old.When records of sightings were called up on a state DEC computer, some interesting patterns of movement were revealed. UU? was sighted on 19 October 1993 on the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia) peninsula, then on 11 January 1994 north of Philadelphia, and then in the fields west of Rochester on 14 April of that year. YVY spent 11-17 October 1993 in eastern Connecticut, was relocated on 28 February 1994 on the Delmarva Peninsula, then was spotted west of Rochester four days later. (GOS, May 1997; KB 48:192)An interesting insight on possible damage caused by these migrant hordes on fields of new wheat was offered by Paul Kelsey, DEC educator. According to Kelsey, geese feeding in wheat fields puddled with standing water could indeed cause damage, because the ground would be soft enough for the entire plant to be pulled from the ground. “But under normally dry conditions the root system of the plant resists being pulled and the top of the plant is clipped off,” John Brown reported. “This causes the plant to head out more, resulting in more wheat. Also, several thousand geese on a wheat field contribute large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer.“Studies on waterfowl areas, where wheat is planted for goose pasture, have shown that fields closer to the resting ponds, the ones most heavily used, actually produced the most grain.” (BA, 31 March 1976)
Winter maxima: 9,000 on 18 December 2004 on Lake Leroy, a “very small body of water” in the Leicester quadrant of the Letchworth/Silver Lake CBC, part of the record 15,194 tally for that count. (LG, February 2005) 25,000 on 29 December 2007 (R. Dobson, Gillette) at Savannah. (LG, February 2008) 21,798 on 30 December 2006 at Conesus Lake. (LG, February 2007) 30,000 on 3 January 2004 (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Savannah. (LG, March 2004) 25,000 all during January 2006, Savannah. (LG, March 2006) Misc.
Neckbanded birds provided added incentive to closely scan these flocks in the 1980s and 1990s. This birder logged 861 different neckbanded geese from 1992 to 1998 along the west lakeshore from Parma into Hamlin. Many of the birds were found to return to the exact same fields in subsequent years. One banded S8U, for example, got its collar in February 1992 in Maryland, and was seen in the same section of pasture in Hamlin for six straight springs. Many remained for weeks at a time to feed and rest. 9CR was observed over over a 55-day period in 1997. E3K9, reported by Bill Symonds in 1985, was relocated three different years by Bob Marcotte, most recently in 1997, making it at least 12 years old. P52M, banded in 1983, was relocated in 1998, making it at least 15 years old.When records of sightings were called up on a state DEC computer, some interesting patterns of movement were revealed. UU? was sighted on 19 October 1993 on the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia) peninsula, then on 11 January 1994 north of Philadelphia, and then in the fields west of Rochester on 14 April of that year. YVY spent 11-17 October 1993 in eastern Connecticut, was relocated on 28 February 1994 on the Delmarva Peninsula, then was spotted west of Rochester four days later. (GOS, May 1997; KB 48:192)An interesting insight on possible damage caused by these migrant hordes on fields of new wheat was offered by Paul Kelsey, DEC educator. According to Kelsey, geese feeding in wheat fields puddled with standing water could indeed cause damage, because the ground would be soft enough for the entire plant to be pulled from the ground. “But under normally dry conditions the root system of the plant resists being pulled and the top of the plant is clipped off,” John Brown reported. “This causes the plant to head out more, resulting in more wheat. Also, several thousand geese on a wheat field contribute large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer.“Studies on waterfowl areas, where wheat is planted for goose pasture, have shown that fields closer to the resting ponds, the ones most heavily used, actually produced the most grain.” (BA, 31 March 1976)
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorMute Swan
When the state Department of Environmental Conservation shot two of these elegant, but invasive swans at Sodus Bay in May 2006, many area birders, no doubt, quietly applauded the action. However, David Byork of Huron, Wayne County, was outraged. He and his wife had watched the swans nesting there for four years, and had fed the birds during the winter. “They’re just a beautiful bird. If you leave them alone and just observe them, they’re no problem at all.” (“Attack on bird ruffles feathers,” D&C, 18 May 2006) Unfortunately, there is strong evidence to the contrary. The grace and beauty of these swans, which now populate almost every pond along our lakeshore, is misleading. These introduced birds can be a major headache. And yet, Byork’s anger, and subsequent letters to the editor by others decrying DEC’s action, indicate the challenges confronting those anxious to control the exploding population of this aggressive, nonnative interloper.
Background
Introduced to this continent from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s, this native of Eurasia ornamented city parks and large estates, and was kept in zoos and aviaries. However feral populations have become established as a result of escaped or released birds, principally along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to South Carolina, with smaller populations around the Great Lakes and in the Pacific Northwest around Vancouver. “It has increased significantly since 1970 and shows few signs of slowing,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. Its spread has raised numerous concerns, from overgrazing of aquatic vegetation to displacement of native waterfowl. Delaware has declared this a domestic pest species and reduced its population by removing adults; Maryland captured 600 adults and exported them to Asia to stop them from trampling on nests and nestlings of Least Tern at Chesapeake Bay. (BNA 273: 1, 2, 18)
Local history
As early as the late 1800s this Eurasian species had been introduced downstate by private individuals. Two critical releases occurred in 1910 and 1912, when 216 birds, and 328, respectively, were imported and released near Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, and on Long Island. Semi-domesticated birds escaping from private waterfowl collections, parks or zoos eventually showed up in “virtually every part of the state,” Steven C. Sibley notes. (Andrle, p. 56) As early as 1928, Edson and Horsey noted, several swans away from parks and estates could safely be assumed to be Whistling (Tundra) Swans, but cautioned that “when only one bird is seen, some of the distinguishing marks or characteristics must be noted, as such a bird might be an escaped mute swan.” (“Swans Seen at Large Usually Are Whistlers, Gardener Says,” D&C, 9 April 1928) “The mute swan of our parks sometimes escapes and wanders about,” Edson observed 18 years later. (WBR, 25 March 1946) Alfred Starling, in 1965, observed that, “In recent years, we have had a few records of mute swan near Rochester and whether these are birds that have moved up from the coast or birds that have escaped locally is not known.” (WBR 8 February 1965) Three were wintering along the lakeshore that year (BA, 11 February 1965; GNR January 1965); seven were at Braddock Bay in June 1979. (LG, July 1979) One that escaped in mid January 1982 from “owners of a group of ducks, geese and swans just east of Webster Park” showed up on Sodus Bay on 20 January “and has remained there since,” the Little Gull reported in March.Starting with one at Sodus Bay in February 1983 (KB 33:118), occurrences were reported annually in Region 2 Kingbird summaries. By 1985, feral pairs had occasionally nested in upstate New York but had not become established, Sibley noted. However, he added, “there is reason to believe . . . that feral populations will eventually become established throughout New York because the Hudson Valley population is still expanding and feral populations in Toronto, Ontario, and Traverse City, Michigan are thriving in conditions harsher than those found in portions of upstate New York.” (Andrle, p. 56) “Anyone thinking of putting a canoe or small rowboat in the outlet waters of Irondequoit Creek, just south of Empire Boulevard, should be aware of the presence of a very hostile mute swan,” Frank Dobson warned his readers in May 1986.Two canoeists “had a rather scary encounter” with one of these birds, which at that time was only occasionally encountered in the wild in our region. “It didn’t hesitate in its charge on the canoe and the paddlers,” who “lost no time in leaving the disputed territory.” (Birds, 11 May 1986)That same year Kevin Griffith noted “observations becoming very consistent” in this area (KB36: 21); twenty-six were at Conesus Lake on 6 December 1986. (KB37: 83)Four years later the first successful nesting was documented. On 21 June 1990, Dick O’Hara found two adults and four young on a nest at Braddock Bay (GOS, July/August 1990). This news was greeted with “mixed emotions” (KB 40:245) that quickly became overwhelmingly negative. Bob Spahn, for example, indicated “partially positive” news in June 1995: all three of the Round Pond young and two of the Braddock Bay young had been lost that year. “True success would be all lost and some adult mortality!” (GOS, September 1995)Alas, their numbers have since exploded here. “The general feeling is that they are out of control here,” Kevin Griffith noted four years later. (KB 49:143) By 2005, a total of 502 were tallied on the Rochester CBC. (LG, February 2006)
Status
Increasing, permanent resident along the lakeshore in Monroe and Wayne counties. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an occasional rare introduced winter visitant and a casual rare introduced summer resident.
Occurrence
Summer/breeding status: The first Breeding Bird Atlas project documented possible breeding in only one block in our region; by the second project, Mute Swans could easily be seen sitting on nests on just about every pond along the parkway.
Winter: These birds are non-migratory, congregating in bays along the lake during winter, and are usually stationary unless frozen out. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 34)
Misc.
“This species’ aggressive behavior while breeding, and its willingness to nest in heavily populated areas, has inevitably brought it into conflict with humans,” notes Bull’s Birds of New York. (Levine, p. 148) “It has been known to chase jet-skiers, canoeists, and even small children who wander near its nest.” That is not uniformly the case, however. By 2007 pairs of Mute Swans were nesting on the shores of both lakes Eastman and Durand, immediately along Lakeshore Boulevard in Durand-Eastman Park. This writer sat one morning on a guard rail just a few feet from one of the birds on its nest without provoking any reaction, suggesting birds nesting in heavily trafficked areas may become accustomed to humans.Studies in other areas have also documented the tendency of Mute Swans to drive out native waterfowl, to reduce aquatic vegetation, and raise levels of coliform bacteria in waters where it congregates in large numbers.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has a management policy that includes preventing the release or relocation of Mutes Swans in the wild, and issuing permits to landowners and other agencies to remove or control them. It also calls for removing Mute Swans from state-managed areas. (Levine, p. 148)“We have done this to some degree, but to date, not completely due to time and amount of staff required,” Lori O’Connell of the media relations office of DEC in Albany acknowledged in an e-mail communication in 2007. (Per. comm.)Nonetheless, DEC has been working “actively” to decrease the estimated 110 Mute Swans in the Braddock Bay wildlife management area, said Linda Vera, citizen participation specialist with the DEC regional office in Avon. This has been done by treating the eggs with oil to prevent hatching or destroying nests. In 2007 “we prevented the hatching of 15 nests (80 eggs). We have also removed some adult birds,” she wrote in an e-mail communication.Eggs were removed from a nest in Conesus Swamp by DEC in 1996, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 27)
“This species’ aggressive behavior while breeding, and its willingness to nest in heavily populated areas, has inevitably brought it into conflict with humans,” notes Bull’s Birds of New York. (Levine, p. 148) “It has been known to chase jet-skiers, canoeists, and even small children who wander near its nest.” That is not uniformly the case, however. By 2007 pairs of Mute Swans were nesting on the shores of both lakes Eastman and Durand, immediately along Lakeshore Boulevard in Durand-Eastman Park. This writer sat one morning on a guard rail just a few feet from one of the birds on its nest without provoking any reaction, suggesting birds nesting in heavily trafficked areas may become accustomed to humans.Studies in other areas have also documented the tendency of Mute Swans to drive out native waterfowl, to reduce aquatic vegetation, and raise levels of coliform bacteria in waters where it congregates in large numbers.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has a management policy that includes preventing the release or relocation of Mutes Swans in the wild, and issuing permits to landowners and other agencies to remove or control them. It also calls for removing Mute Swans from state-managed areas. (Levine, p. 148)“We have done this to some degree, but to date, not completely due to time and amount of staff required,” Lori O’Connell of the media relations office of DEC in Albany acknowledged in an e-mail communication in 2007. (Per. comm.)Nonetheless, DEC has been working “actively” to decrease the estimated 110 Mute Swans in the Braddock Bay wildlife management area, said Linda Vera, citizen participation specialist with the DEC regional office in Avon. This has been done by treating the eggs with oil to prevent hatching or destroying nests. In 2007 “we prevented the hatching of 15 nests (80 eggs). We have also removed some adult birds,” she wrote in an e-mail communication.Eggs were removed from a nest in Conesus Swamp by DEC in 1996, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 27)
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinatorTrumpeter Swan
Technically these birds are not yet on the New York State Checklist. But they are “difficult to ignore” for a variety of reasons. For one thing, they are “large and imposing” birds. For another, they have been seen with increasing frequency during the past decade, with birds from a restoration project across the lake in Ontario visiting in fall and winter, and progeny from a local game preserve apparently becoming established as permanent residents in Wayne County.Above all, the mere fact they appear to be having at least limited success in establishing a local breeding population raises a tantalizing possibility: Could they, just possibly, be a natural antidote to the burgeoning nuisance population of Mute Swans? “Trumpeters may be desirable because they can displace Mute Swans, which are not native to North America and sometimes displace other waterfowl species and attack people,” note Dan Carroll and Bryan L. Swift of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in an update on this species. (KB 50: 236) “Where trumpeter populations have been established, the birds generally seem to be more wary of people, have larger nesting territories, and have caused relatively few conflicts with other wildlife or human activities.”Clearly, this is one saga that will be well worth tracking in the coming years.
Background
Though this species was once widespread over most of the continent, by 1935 only 69 of our largest North America waterfowl were known to survive, though unrecorded birds also inhabited parts of Alaska and Canada. Thanks to modern conservation, including habitat preservation, protection from shooting, and restoration programs, this species had rebounded to 15,630 birds in 1990, and continues to grow, occupying freshwater marshes, ponds and lakes from Alaska east to Ontario province and south into the northern tier of western states. Canadian flocks migrate to southern parts of this range, and the Pacific coast; U.S. flocks are generally sedentary. Populations remain at risk because individuals are slow to reach breeding maturity, produce only single broods, concentrate at a relatively few wintering sites and continue to be exposed to poisoning from shot and fishing sinkers made of lead. (BNA105: 1, 4, 15)
Local history
Prehistoric remains of this species have been found in Dutchess County. (Levine, p. 68) Eaton (1910) could find no specimens to further document this species’ occurrence in New York state, but believed “it is probable that the Trumpeter swan was formerly an occasional visitor to this state in the days when all our waterfowl were more numerous.” (Eaton I: 239) A restoration program in Ontario, Canada, which began in 1982 and had released 835 birds into the wild by late 2006, was believed responsible for the first records in our region. (Sherony and Bolsinger, p. 5; see also “Canadian man works to re-establish trumpeter swans,” D&C, 2 February 1998) These included an immature bird that stayed at Russell Station from 11 February through March 1994 (KB 44: 121, 205; GNR) and another at Irondequoit Bay in January 1996. (KB 46:147)
Status
Rare but increasing visitant and permanent resident as introduced birds establish a foothold here and in Ontario province.
Occurrence
First breeding in our region was reported in 1996 when a pair raised four young on a privately owned wetland north of Newark in Wayne County. The parents were believed to come from the Savannah Dhu, a 5,000-acre private game reserve at Clyde, located just north of Montezuma NWR. The owner “has had Trumpeter Swans in his possession since 1990,” Carroll and Swift noted. A pair nesting at Perch River WMA in Jefferson County in 1996 were also believed to be progeny from this breeder. (KB 50: 232-236)By January 1998, these birds were showing up all along our lakeshore. Three – including one wing-tagged from the Ontario project – were at Salmon Creek, then at Irondequoit Bay (Marcotte, R. Spahn, mob) in January, at the same time four others were at Sodus Bay (D. and D. Traver). The latter four were “presumed (not proved) from the hatch and release efforts of the Wayne County private preserve.” And others were “noted without details at other sites along the lakeshore.” (GOS, March 1998) The tagged bird from the Ontario introduction project was numbered 308, and was hatched in 1994, then released the following year in the Wye Marsh along the southeast corner of Georgian Bay. The two birds with it were raised in the wild by swans previously released through the project, according to its director, Harry Lumsden. (“Canadian man works to re-establish trumpeter swans,” D&C, 2 February 1998) Birds tagged 459 and 460 from the project were recorded wintering at Irondequoit Bay at least three years in a row – 2001-2002 through 2003-2004. (KB: 54: 147)Six Trumpeter Swans were at the bay on 16 January 1999 (KB 49:145) and again on 26 February 2005. (KB 55:171)Sherony and Bolsinger identify three Wayne County nesting locations away from Savannah Dhu, which has most likely been the source of the nesting birds.A large pond, islands and marsh along Hogback Road, just south of Route 31 in Savannah, “where one pair has successfully bred annually since 2002.” A marshy area behind a home at 4427 Boyton Road, Walworth, where another pair nested in 2004, 2005 and 2006, successfully fledging cygnets in two of those years.A marshy creek overflow north of Atlantic Avenue (Route 286) just east of Town Line Road in Walworth, where a third pair has nested from 2003 to 2007, producing cygnets in at least one year.“There are almost certainly other active nest sites in Wayne . . . that are not documented,” Sherony and Bolsinger add. (KB 57: 4)
Maxima: 12 – 10 adults, 2 immatures – on 8 November 1998 (R. Dobson, W. Gillette) in Wayne County. (KB 49:47, GNR) 16 on 22 December 2006 (R. and C. Spahn) at Sodus Bay. (LG, February 2007) 34 on 31 December 2006 (R. and C. Spahn) at Savannah. (LG, February 2007) 56 on 3 January 2007 (R. Spahn) at Savannah. (LG, March 2007) “Although breeding has occurred in NY since 1996, Trumpeter Swan has not been added to (the) New York State Checklist. While identification is not an issue, the wild origins of these birds remain open to question due to occasional escapes of captive birds from private waterfowl collections and a major reintroduction program in neighboring Ontario,” NYSARC noted in its 1998 annual report. “The New York breeding population is expanding and reports are likely to become more frequent.” (KB 51: 489-490)
Tundra Swan
(formerly Whistling Swan)Cygnus columbianusTundra Swan
The second day of spring, in March 1988, gave Rochester birders “the first real taste of good spring birding,” Frank Dobson noted. At the hawkwatch platform, temperatures rose into the 50s, a southwest breeze was blowing and even the sun showed itself from time to time through a thin cover of cloud. Hawks, geese, crows and songbirds were all flying. “Then just before the winds got really strong, a flight of fifteen tundra swans swept in low over the mouth of the bay, turned toward the parking lot, and passed in review, not a hundred yards in front of observers on the platform. “What a magnificent sight those graceful creatures made. . . They just pointed their long necks straight ahead and slowly flapped powerful wings, spanning nearly eight feet, in seemingly effortless flight.” (Birds, 13 March 1988)These birds can’t help but draw attention.On 17 April 1976, air traffic controllers at the Rochester-Monroe County Airport watched a formation of five “come zooming in as if they were going to land on Runway 25.” Instead, they went directly past the tower, “calling as they went,” then gained altitude and headed west, John Brown reported. (BA, 21 April 1976)When Walt Listman looked out over the lake at Point Breeze on 10 November 1979, he saw “what at first appeared to be a single white-capped wave.”It wasn’t. It was a line of 38 Tundra Swans. (BA, 14 November 1979) “After watching tame swans swimming around on still waters, one begins to take it for granted that a swan cannot fly, and to see these wild birds in flight gives the observer a thrill that lingers long in memory,” Edson and Horsey observed. (“Whistling Swans Stop Over On Their Way to Far North,” D&C, 28 March 1932)
Background
This is the most numerous and widespread of our two native North American swans, with a separate subspecies, Bewick’s Swan, found in Europe and Asia. In North America, this species breeds on lakes, ponds and pools in the Arctic tundra from the Aleutians, along the west and northern coastal regions of Alaska, across far northern Canada and along Hudson Bay. Eastern populations winter along the Atlantic Coast, primarily from New Jersey to South Carolina and occasionally inland; western birds winter along the Pacific Coast. Loss of submerged aquatic vegetation at some migratory stopover sites and at many wintering areas have forced this species to shift to foraging in grain fields. Migrates in flocks composed of family groups. The average wintering population in 1987-1989 was estimated to be 87,065 and 63,751 for eastern and western populations, respectively, representing a doubling of numbers over 35 years. More recently, populations appear to be stable. (BNA 89: 1-3, 14)
Local history
Before about 1930, it was a “red letter” day when even one Tundra Swan was seen here, Edson noted. (WBR, 25 March 1935)Eaton (1910) wrote that this species was more common in western New York than on the coast, and considered it a regular migrant. And yet, he listed this as only an occasional transient – appearing every few years – in Monroe County or a rare transient – only a few records – in Livingston and Wayne counties. (County charts) Among his records of occurrence: Mt. Morris April 1875; Irondequoit Bay 2 April 1898; 3 at Honeoye Lake early April 1898; Manitou, 2 November 1905 and Rush, 27 March 1907. (Eaton I: 238)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated sightings in only 9 years, averaging only one to four birds on spring dates ranging from 6 January to 10 May, and, on average, only single birds on fall dates ranging from 2 November to 14 December. “Two were reported this spring the last of March, and now, after an absence of nearly eight months, a flock of five were seen in Durand-Eastman Park,” Horsey and Edson reported in 1931. (“Whistling Swan, Rare Autumn Visitor, Seen in Durand Park,” D&C, 7 December 1931)However, a larger flight was reported in March 1932 when 12 were seen on Cranberry Pond and three on Long Pond and another four were flying at Sea Breeze. (“Whistling Swans Stop Over On Their Way to Far North,” D&C, 28 March 1932)All the more startling, then, the discovery of a total of 26 dead “Whistling” Swans on the lake at Shore Acres in late March and early April 1928. At first only six were found, and it was believed they might have been among 18 that had been swept over Niagara Falls. (Note: This happened with disturbing frequency. See Eaton for an account of a particularly tragic loss in March 1908). However, when the additional carcasses were found, a new theory emerged: “the birds probably lost their lives flying across the lake in the storm last week” and “that some of them alighted on the water and were cast back to shore by the pounding waves.” (“Twenty More Whistler Swans Dead at Shore Acres,” D&C, 3 April 1928) Certainly there were plenty of swans around that spring: Conservation inspector Frederick Hamilton reported that “a flock of fifty swans has been seen on Lake Ontario in the last few days, ten on Irondequoit bay . . . 240 at the head of Canandaigua Lake, seventy-five on the river this side of Avon, and flocks at Conesus, Hornell and elsewhere.”After 50 were reported on Buck Pond on 18 March 1935, Edson noted that “These large, pure white birds seem to have made it a habit of stopping on the ponds west of the Genesee River the past four or five years, especially in the spring. . . they appear from one or two birds up to a flock of between 30 and 90 birds.” (WBR, 25 March 1935. Note, however, that Horsey gave a maximum count of only 24.)When Leo Tanghe tallied sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester for 1951-1954, he listed a total of 61 records of this species, 44 of them in late March through April when average counts were as high as 20 to 30 birds. This likely included sightings at Montezuma and Oak Orchard, just outside the current boundaries of Region 2. Tundra Swans were reported much less frequently in late summer and fall, however, with Tanghe finding only four records, all of single birds, two of them in August. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B) “Many years go by when no more than half a dozen or so swans are reported here during the entire spring migration. Last year they were particularly scarce,” John Brown noted in 1959. (BA, 26 March 1959) “The large flights usually move north west of here, along the Niagara River and over the east end of Lake Erie.” That spring, however, 220 were at Braddock’s Bay (L. Moon) on 23 March (KB9: 31) during a flight that “broke all recent records,” Brown noted. One hundred and forty were at Groveland (Maley) on 28 March 1964 (KB14: 98), then 200 on 24-27 March 1966 (KB16: 99), but even those numbers were eclipsed when a “very heavy spring flight” in 1968 brought 657 to the flats (Maley, T. Tetlow) on 30 March. (KB18: 93-94)Clearly, the occurrence of this species in our region has increased, perhaps reflecting not only the increase in its population, but its shift to subsisting on grain in farm fields, as noted in the introduction above. Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common spring transient; an occasional, rare summer visitant; and a regular, uncommon fall transient. In recent years it has also increased as a winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular fairly common winter visitant, a (presumably regular) fairly common spring transient, and a regular fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 22 February to 13 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 15 to 30 March. Subsequently, 23 on 14 February 2002 (D. Tetlow) at Brockport were even earlier “first” of spring. (GNR)In most years had departed by 29 May, with a late departure date of 6 June. One on 13 June 1976 (Kemnitzer, O’Hara) at Hamlin was apparently regarded as a summer visitor. (GNR)On 19 March 1989, the day after a severe ice storm, Jim Gillette, whose home overlooked Salmon Creek east of Manitou Road was splitting firewood at midday when the first swans started to gather on the creek below. “Gillette watched, amazed, as a 400-yard stretch of Salmon Creek became almost shoulder to shoulder swans,” Frank Dobson reported. (Birds 2 April 1989) Gillette tallied three hundred and fourteen. “Most of the swans stayed for the rest of the day. The Gillettes went to sleep that night to the mellow chorus of cooing whistlers.”Now, good numbers migrate through our region each spring, heading north from Mid-Atlantic wintering grounds. In Livingston County, they may appear on Conesus Lake but are more often found in large numbers on the Groveland Flats, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 27) Spring maxima: 279, 243, and 224 on 28 February 1981 at Carlton (M. and T. Peter), Chili (E. and S. Skelly), and Hamlin (R. and S. Hazen). (KB 31:90, GNR, LGNR) 338 on 7 March 1998 (R. Dobson, W. Gillette) in Wayne County. (KB 48:223, GNR) 450 on 8 March 1981 (C. and A. Wray) at Rush. (KB 31:163, LGNR) 437 on 13 March 2007 (D. Tetlow) Braddock Bay with 413 there the next day. (LG, May 2007) 300 on 19 March 1989 (C. Cass) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May 1989) 326 on 20 March 2003 (R. Spahn) at Savannah. (KB53: 233, GNR) 828 on 22 March 1997 (K. and J. Fox) at Groveland Flats and Genesee River Flats in Livingston County. (GNR, Fox, p. 27) 720 on 23 March 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Hamlin. (LG, May 2006) 2,500+ on 24, 25 March 2005 (Kimball, Lazarczyk) Groveland. (LG, May 2007) 657 on 30 March 1968 (Maley, T. Tetlow) Groveland. (KB 18:94)
Summer: Sometimes seen in summer. An adult showed up at Manitou on 6 July 1957 (Listman) and stayed the rest of the summer into fall at Braddock Bay. (KB7: 91, 120) On 4 July 1960 Al Starling and Howard Miller stopped at the west spit of Braddock Bay. “While looking for shorebirds there, their attention was attracted by a sudden commotion among the gulls and terns over the lake. As they looked out, a big Whistling swan soared in and landed at the mouth of the bay,” John Brown reported. (BA, 7 July 1960) Another on 22 July 1967 (McKinney, Starling) was at Shore Acres. (GNR).Two on 6 August 1978 (Stear) at Point Breeze that remained through the end of the month were considered a “very rare summer occurrence.” (KB 28:238; GNR)Particularly intriguing was the claim that a pair had remained and nested in Mendon Ponds Park in 1932, raising one bird, according to the weekly bird report of the Burroughs-Audubon Nature Club. (“Whistling Swans Find Rochester Area Just Suited to Temperament,” D&C, 16 January 1933) Could they have been escapees from captivity?
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 5 October (1957) to 28 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 October to 19 November. Subsequently, small flocks of four and 10 on 26 September 2005 at Hamlin Beach (R. Spahn, Symonds) and Hogan Point (D. Tetlow) were record early. (LG, November 2005; KB 56:68) In most years had departed by 20 December, with a late departure date of 28 December. However, see winter records below.Generally seen in fewer numbers in fall, and as recently as 1978 labeled “scarce” during this season. (KB 29:36). So 41 on 13 November 1948 (Wolf) at Conesus Lake was an especially good count (GNR); so was a nearly identical tally of 44 nearly 30 years later, on 15 November 1975 (D. M. and T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay. (KB 26:37) As maxima below indicate, now increasing in fall, with Conesus Lake a particularly good gathering spot.
Fall maxima: 109 on 2 November 1996 (K. and J. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB 47:39, LGNR) 204 on 14 November 1998 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB 49:47, LGNR) 130 on 18 November 1999 (Kimball) Conesus Lake. (LG, January 2000) 119 on 22 November 1997 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (LG, January 1998) 1,000 on 24 November 2006 (R. Spahn) at Savannah. (LG, January 2007) 127 on 25 November 2000 (RBA/GOS field trip) Conesus Lake. (KB 51:517, LGNR) 100 on 8 December 2005 (Kimball) at Conesus Lake. (LG, February 2006) 250 on 22 December 2006 (R. and C. Spahn) at Savannah. (LG, February 2007) 133 on 23 December 1995 (C. Cass) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 27) 145 on 26 December 1999 (Little Lakes CBC) Conesus Lake. (KB 50:160, LGNR)
Winter: “Very rare in winter,” the Goshawk noted in 1954. (GOS, January-February 1954) Not reported in Region 2 during the January Waterfowl Count, which was begun in 1955, until 10 were tallied in 1967.The region’s first wintering flock totaled 21 at Sodus Bay in early January 1975 (KB25:95) and two years later this species was still considered a rarity during winter. (KB 28:105)By the mid 1980s, winter maxima in the 40s were being reported. Now hundreds are no longer unusual (see maxima below), especially at Savannah. Good numbers also can be found on the north end of Conesus Lake “starting at the end of November or early December,” Fox notes. “Many are migrants and leave shortly afterwards, but a few linger into January until the lake freezes.” (Fox, p. 27) Recorded in our region on 17 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest counts were 69 in 1993, then 511 in 2006.
Winter maxima: 300 on 3 January 2004 (D. Tetlow, Davids) town of Savannah. (KB 54:149, LGNR) 487 on 21 January 2006 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Savannah. (LG, March 2006)
Misc.
Eleanor Murtagh of East Lake Road, overlooking Conesus Lake, reported an interesting incident on 30 November 1986 when an adult Bald Eagle swooped over the water, right in front of her house. (Birds, 21 December 1986) The eagle climbed and circled high above a flock of 24 Tundra Swans, then dove on the birds, keeping up the harassment for a good half hour. “The swans just gathered in a tight flock, flapped their wings, stretched their necks and made a lot of noise until the eagle decided to call it a day,” Frank Dobson reported.“Bewick’s” race – probably escapees – are occasionally reported, including one at Irondequoit Bay during the winter of 1995-1996 (GOS March, April 1996) and one that spring – 25 March 1996 (K. and J. Fox) – at Conesus Lake. (GNR)Banded Birds: Two neck-banded Tundra Swans were recorded in the early 1970s. One seen on Lake Ontario near Point Breeze on 2 April 1971 had been one of 300 swans banded with black neck collars in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland and Virginia. A swan with a similar collar, numbered F32, was at Braddock’s Bay on 25 March 1972. It had been banded 26 January of that year at Locust Point on the Rhode River in Maryland. (GOS March, June 1972)
Wood Duck
Aix sponsaWood Duck
One beginning birder, scanning the ducks on Round Pond one fall, was momentarily perplexed at the “stiff” posture of the birds, then realized with embarrassment he was looking at decoys placed by duck hunters. Embarrassment turned to anger when the hunters opened fire on a flock of “real” ducks flying overhead. He was soon “set straight” by other birders who explained that the toll taken by hunters is more than offset by the breeding habitat that is purchased and maintained by proceeds from hunting licenses and duck stamps, and through the efforts of duck hunting organizations.An example of this occurred in the early 1950s, when the newly formed Lake Plains Waterfowl Association – “a non-profit cooperative founded by duck hunters to improve duck hunting in the lake plains area” – undertook a special project to benefit Wood Ducks. Though this colorful species by then was a frequent breeder in Monroe County, the marshes and ponds bordering Lake Ontario were still relatively underpopulated with Wood Ducks. “The apparent cause seemed to be a lack of suitable nesting sites” – usually hollow trees and abandoned woodpecker holes – “since much of the wooded areas have been cut over and large suitable trees are at a premium,” William H. Zimmerli wrote. (GOS, March-April 1954)During late winter 1952/early spring 1953, the association erected 100 nest boxes for Wood Ducks on Round, Buck, Long and Cranberry ponds, Braddock Bay, Rose’s Marsh and “some of the lesser marshes on west toward Hamlin Beach Park.” When the boxes were examined the following winter, it was found that about 75 percent had apparently been used by Wood Ducks.That winter, more boxes were erected in and around Irondequoit Bay and other areas just east of Rochester. Efforts like these have contributed to a “remarkable comeback” by a species that many once feared would be driven to extinction.
Background
This is the most successful of the seven North American species of duck that regularly nest in natural cavities. The Wood Duck, in particular, seems well adapted to nesting in a wooded habitat. Its slim body allows use of Pileated Woodpecker cavities for nesting, and its large eyes help it avoid branches on flights through the tree canopy, notes the profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. “Robust populations” of the 1800s began to decline near the end of that century, especially near large cities, because of overhunting, deforestation and loss of wetlands. In fact, many ornithologists believed this species would become extinct. However, protection from hunting enabled this species to stage a “remarkable comeback.” Use of nest boxes, expanding beaver populations – which create additional wetlands – and hunting restrictions have contributed to the Wood Duck resurgence. This species breeds across all of eastern U.S., much of the west, and into southern Canada, with birds in northern parts of the range moving farther south to winter. The general consensus among biologists is that populations are stable or increasing. (BNA 169: 1, 16)New York has shared in this species’ successful resurgence. As in other parts of the country, this cavity-nesting dabbler has burgeoned in the state thanks to hunting limits, nest-box projects, abandonment of farmland leading to new woodlands, less logging near swamps and streams, and a resurgent beaver population that creates additional ponds. (Levine, p. 150; Andrle, p. 60)
Local history
“Constant persecution” from hunters in spring and summer brought these stunningly beautiful ducks “to the verge of extermination” before spring shooting was banned in 1902, Eaton reported. He considered this species to be an uncommon summer resident in Monroe and Wayne counties and rare in Livingston County, and a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne. (Eaton 1:200, county charts)However, fall hunting continued in New York State without even a bag limit until 1912, when 25 Wood Ducks a day were allowed. That was cut to 15 in 1931, then 12, 10, and finally one a day in 1942. (Andrle, p. 60)When members of the Izaak Walton League banded 175 ducks at Durand Eastman Park on 19 October 1930, “several wood ducks, with brilliant plumage and resembling in appearance the domestic varieties, were among the visitors. These birds, comparatively rare here, were of unusual interest to many of the youngsters and showed no resentment at a little polite fondling.” (“Wild Ducks Enter Banding Station in Flocks to Have Shiny New Metal Rings Put on Their Legs,” D&C, 20 October 1930)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, noted that this species “breeds in county” and had been “found breeding in Mendon Ponds Park, late years” by Gordon Meade. Horsey indicated average counts of one to five birds, with a maximum count of 15, on dates ranging from 19 March to 16 November.In fact, in the late 1940s this may have been the most common breeding duck in western New York, according to Dirck Benson, before yielding that honor to Mallard and Black Duck. (GOS, March-May 1958)When Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester for 1951-1954, Wood Duck was reported 68 times during the months June-August, compared to 109 sightings for Blue-winged Teal, 108 for Mallard, and 80 for Black Duck. (KB5: 69: 1A-2A) Nonetheless, in 1953, Tanghe listed this as a common breeding species in the Rochester area, specifically mentioning Beatty Road and Wautoma Beach. (GOS, May-August, 1953) Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common summer resident; an irregular, common fall transient; and an irregular, very rare winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular rare winter visitant, a regular common spring transient, a regular fairly common to common summer resident and a regular common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 26 February (1983) to 12 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 17 March to 2 April. However, two on 22 February 1984 (R. Spahn) at Webster were listed as an earlier “first record for the spring migration.” (GNR) Subsequently, one on 15 February 1999 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP was earlier. (GOS, April 1999)
Spring maxima: 110 on 23 March 2006 (Phillips) at Conesus Lake. (LG, May 2006) 150 on 24 March 1962 (T. Tetlow) at the Groveland Flats in Livingston County. (GNR)
Summer/breeding status: The first BBA project found evidence of breeding in about half the blocks in our region, especially along the lake plain and western Livingston/eastern Wyoming Counties. (Andrle, p. 61). The second project found evidence of breeding in nearly two-third of the blocks. If anything, it appears this species is expanding its breeding presence in our region.
The spring and summer of 1987 was apparently a particularly good breeding season. “Many local observers have commented on the very successful hatch of wood ducks this summer. Wetlands along Lake Ontario have had hundreds of the colorful ‘woodies,’” Frank Dobson noted. (Birds, 18 Oct 1987) “In late July and early August, when the young birds started moving, they were especially noticeable. It wasn’t hard to find a hundred or more wood ducks in a single flock.” Genesee Country Nature Center fledged 483 from nest boxes in 1994. (KB 44:301) The state also licenses breeders to raise and release Wood Ducks into the wild. (Birds, 4 June 1995)Families of these ducks appear on area ponds and marshes late summer into fall.
Summer maxima: 125 on 19 August 1969 (Listman) on Braddock Bay. (GNR) 148 on 28 August 1966 (Hartranft) at Palmyra. (GOS, October 1966) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 15 September to 29 November, with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 15 October to 17 November.
Fall maxima: 115 on 9 September 1983 (Griffith) Greece. (GNR) 200 on 10 September 1960 (Planansky, Starling) at Mendon Ponds. (KB10: 179) 200 on 20 September 1961 (Listman) at Salmon Creek. (KB11: 209) 86 on 16 October 1954 (Dakin) at Bushnell’s Basin. (GNR)
Winter: Though this species migrates, small numbers linger on open water in winter. Two were still at the Ling Road marshes in early January 1952, with one last reported there by Miller on 4 February. (KB 2: 14) Two on 14 January 1966 (Menuhin, Stiles) were at Newark. (KB 16: 100) Beginning in the mid 1980s, sizeable numbers were reported at a protected stream at the corner of Whalen and Five Mile Line roads in Penfield “where ducks are regularly fed cracked corn by people.” (LG, February 1987; GOS, April 1993)Peak tally there was 51 on 24 January 1988 (GOS, March 1988); another 42 were there the following 15 January (KB39: 111); then 26, 50, 38 and 15 the next four years. (KB 40:101; 41:106; 42:96; 43:125; Birds, 12 February 1989) This gathering was “Not repeated this year,” the Goshawk noted in 1996. (GOS, March 1996)Recorded in our region on 26 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest counts, reflecting the Penfield birds, ranged from 30 to 44 from 1988 to 1992.
Other winter maxima: 24 on 15 February 1986 (Reinhardt) Webster. (GNR)
Misc.
For many years birders wondered how fledgling Wood Ducks were safely brought from nesting cavities high up in trees – often a considerable distance from water – to the safety of a pond or marsh. “Now it seems to be fully established that they climb up to the entrance and tumble out, fluttering their tiny wings as they fall, and this fluttering is sufficient to break their fall even though the landing place is hard,” Edson explained to his readers in 1945.“The female then leads her brood to the nearest water.” (WBR, 13 August 1945)Returning a displaced youngster to its nest turned into quite a project in Scottsville in 1967. The Susats of that village had successfully rescued a young duckling that was being nuzzled by their dog, and wanted columnist John Brown, a fellow Scottsville resident, to have a look. They also were puzzled after seeing what they thought was a duck flying around at dusk and disappearing in a hole in a nearby tree “though the hole didn’t appear to be big enough.”Sure enough, when Brown went to look that night he discovered the family had rescued a newly-hatched Wood Duck. Moreover, with a flashlight he could see “something that looked like a duck’s tail feathers” poking out of a hole about 20 feet up in a tree. Mounting a ladder, Brown went up for a closer look. The beam from the flashlight revealed there was, indeed, a hen Wood Duck in the cavity. “We patted her, and she didn’t move.” Next step was to return the youngster to the nest. Up the ladder it was carried and dropped on the mother’s back. “This was too much for her,” Brown related, “and she leaped up into the hollow trunk above the hole, pushing the duckling out. We retrieved it, unhurt, and put it back in the hole with what appeared to be six other newly-hatched ducklings and one unhatched egg. This time the mother dropped down and flew out.”Fifteen minutes later she returned, reconnoitering the nest, and finally re-entered it. Next morning the Susats “looked out the window to see the hen at the base of the tree with half a dozen little ones” already on the ground near her. “As they watched, she called softly and first one and then another downy chick fluttered to the ground” as well. “The hen then marched them off into some dense shrubbery along Oak Lane, and the Susats haven’t seen them since.” (BA, 8 June 1967)
Summer maxima: 125 on 19 August 1969 (Listman) on Braddock Bay. (GNR) 148 on 28 August 1966 (Hartranft) at Palmyra. (GOS, October 1966) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 15 September to 29 November, with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 15 October to 17 November.
Fall maxima: 115 on 9 September 1983 (Griffith) Greece. (GNR) 200 on 10 September 1960 (Planansky, Starling) at Mendon Ponds. (KB10: 179) 200 on 20 September 1961 (Listman) at Salmon Creek. (KB11: 209) 86 on 16 October 1954 (Dakin) at Bushnell’s Basin. (GNR)
Winter: Though this species migrates, small numbers linger on open water in winter. Two were still at the Ling Road marshes in early January 1952, with one last reported there by Miller on 4 February. (KB 2: 14) Two on 14 January 1966 (Menuhin, Stiles) were at Newark. (KB 16: 100) Beginning in the mid 1980s, sizeable numbers were reported at a protected stream at the corner of Whalen and Five Mile Line roads in Penfield “where ducks are regularly fed cracked corn by people.” (LG, February 1987; GOS, April 1993)Peak tally there was 51 on 24 January 1988 (GOS, March 1988); another 42 were there the following 15 January (KB39: 111); then 26, 50, 38 and 15 the next four years. (KB 40:101; 41:106; 42:96; 43:125; Birds, 12 February 1989) This gathering was “Not repeated this year,” the Goshawk noted in 1996. (GOS, March 1996)Recorded in our region on 26 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest counts, reflecting the Penfield birds, ranged from 30 to 44 from 1988 to 1992.
Other winter maxima: 24 on 15 February 1986 (Reinhardt) Webster. (GNR)
Misc.
For many years birders wondered how fledgling Wood Ducks were safely brought from nesting cavities high up in trees – often a considerable distance from water – to the safety of a pond or marsh. “Now it seems to be fully established that they climb up to the entrance and tumble out, fluttering their tiny wings as they fall, and this fluttering is sufficient to break their fall even though the landing place is hard,” Edson explained to his readers in 1945.“The female then leads her brood to the nearest water.” (WBR, 13 August 1945)Returning a displaced youngster to its nest turned into quite a project in Scottsville in 1967. The Susats of that village had successfully rescued a young duckling that was being nuzzled by their dog, and wanted columnist John Brown, a fellow Scottsville resident, to have a look. They also were puzzled after seeing what they thought was a duck flying around at dusk and disappearing in a hole in a nearby tree “though the hole didn’t appear to be big enough.”Sure enough, when Brown went to look that night he discovered the family had rescued a newly-hatched Wood Duck. Moreover, with a flashlight he could see “something that looked like a duck’s tail feathers” poking out of a hole about 20 feet up in a tree. Mounting a ladder, Brown went up for a closer look. The beam from the flashlight revealed there was, indeed, a hen Wood Duck in the cavity. “We patted her, and she didn’t move.” Next step was to return the youngster to the nest. Up the ladder it was carried and dropped on the mother’s back. “This was too much for her,” Brown related, “and she leaped up into the hollow trunk above the hole, pushing the duckling out. We retrieved it, unhurt, and put it back in the hole with what appeared to be six other newly-hatched ducklings and one unhatched egg. This time the mother dropped down and flew out.”Fifteen minutes later she returned, reconnoitering the nest, and finally re-entered it. Next morning the Susats “looked out the window to see the hen at the base of the tree with half a dozen little ones” already on the ground near her. “As they watched, she called softly and first one and then another downy chick fluttered to the ground” as well. “The hen then marched them off into some dense shrubbery along Oak Lane, and the Susats haven’t seen them since.” (BA, 8 June 1967)
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discorsBlue-winged Teal
Veteran local birders now speak of this duck in the past tense. Mike Davids is one of them. “They seemed like the commonest summer duck in the late 1970s and early 1980s but they have just tanked. You could walk up to any borrow pit pond and flush a nesting blue winged teal. I don’t know how many times I flushed a bird that was nesting.” Not anymore. “Over the course of the 1980s they just disappeared. Even the wood duck wasn’t as common,” Davids notes. Given that this bird is now reaching record numbers in its primary breeding territory to the west, and even just to our north in Ontario, its virtual disappearance here raises disturbing questions – not about the bird but about our habitat.
Background
This duck is most commonly found breeding in the north-central U.S. and prairie Canada. So its overall population status “mirrors wetland conditions on the prairie breeding grounds. Populations dropped to a 40-year low in 1990 after several dry years, but in the decade following numbers more than doubled,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. Prefers to nest in grass or herbaceous cover, generally within 150 m of water, with a preference for marshes that are 50 percent water, 50 percent cover. Nest failure, due primarily to mammalian predators, can exceed 90 percent in some areas. One estimate suggests that red foxes take an estimated 900,000 adults each year in the prairie pothole region. Though it breeds over a large portion of North America, it occurs “irregularly or at low densities in many portions of (its) range,” with eastern breeding populations showing much greater annual variation than those in the mid-continent. It was once rare west of the Rockies, but increased there in the 1950s and 1960s. Interestingly, the population in southern Ontario province has increased in recent decades, making it the “second most abundant local breeding duck next to Mallard,” apparently the result of forest clearing and growing numbers of beaver impoundments. This is among the latest ducks to migrate in spring, and one of the first to depart in fall for wintering grounds that extend into South America. Replaced Lesser Scaup as the second most abundant duck in North America in the 1990s, and by May 2000 had reached 7.4 million, the highest count ever recorded for this species. (BNA 625: 1-7, 20-22)
Local history
“The flight of the teal is rapid, often equaling 2 miles per minute,” Eaton (1910) claimed. “Upon alighting they drop suddenly into the marsh like a snipe.” (Eaton I: 195) He (1910) considered this an occasional (Monroe County) to uncommon (Wayne County) summer resident, and a common migrant in both. (Eaton I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to two birds, with a maximum count of 15, on dates ranging from 4 April to 14 November.However, when Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester for 1951-1954, Blue-winged Teal was reported more than any other duck during the months June-August, with 109 sightings to 108 for Mallard, 80 for Black Duck and 68 for Wood Duck. (KB5: 69: 1A-2A) This likely included sightings at Oak Orchard and Montezuma, just outside current Region 2 boundaries. Nonetheless, this suggested a healthy breeding population, because this species can be very elusive, nesting in dense cover.Breeding was confirmed at the Ling Road marsh in 1950. (GOS, June/August 1950) Tanghe mentioned that site and Buck Pond as breeding locations when he reported this a “common” breeding species in the Rochester area three years later. (GOS, May-August 1953)Though this species ranked a “poor fourth” in actual breeding numbers behind Mallard, Black and Wood ducks in western New York in 1958, Dirck Benson reported, he cautioned not to sell this species short, as “it appears on the scene whenever the habitat is right.” (GOS, March/May 1958)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common summer resident, and a casual, very rare winter visitant. However, recent Breeding Bird Atlas results and other observations suggest this is much less common, perhaps nearly extirpated, as a summer resident along the lake plain.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a (presumably regular) fairly common spring transient, a (presumably regular) uncommon summer resident and an irregular uncommon to rare fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 28 February (1983) to 6 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 March to 1 April. In addition to gathering on ponds and bays, migrants can also be found in flooded farm fields this time of year. Summer/breeding status: As recently as the early 1980s, this was a fairly common breeding duck in our region. Many broods indicated “good” nesting success in 1972, followed by a “very successful year” in 1973 and “many broods” again in 1975. (KB 22:168, 23:195, 25: 215) Indeed, during the first BBA our region had one of the heaviest concentrations of blocks with at least some evidence of breeding, especially in lakefront marshes on the west lakeshore. (Andrle, p. 73) However, even in the midst of that project in 1982 the “lack of . . . broods in the lakeshore marshes” was noted. (KB32:272) Subsequently, an alarming decline has been noted, for reasons unclear. During the summer of 1986, for example, the LG reported that there had been only one report of Blue-winged Teal with young during the months of June and July. (LG, August 1986)By 1994, it “seems to have almost been extirpated as a nesting species along the lakeshore,” Kevin Griffith noted. (KB 44:301) And in 2000 he echoed concern that the proliferation of breeding Canada Geese and Mute Swans probably wasn’t helping matters. (KB 50:400) By the summer of 1998, Murray Swamp was considered the only “consistent place” to find breeding birds. (KB 48:327). Atlasing during the second BBA also turned up this species “in the East Lakeshore Marshes in several Blocks” during the summer of 2004. (GOS, October 2004) Even so, a comparison of the two projects confirms an alarming pattern of decline.
Summer maxima: 100 in July 1965 on a single pond at Shore Acres. (BA, 29 July 1965) 275 on 30 August 1954 (Van Beurden) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May-August 1954) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 9 October to 14 November, with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 26 October to 5 November. Observations from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project indicate this is the earliest of our duck species to begin migrating, starting before Aug. 15. At Hamlin Beach usually seen in small flocks or mixed with Mallards. Average count for a season was only 131. “They become rare by mid-October and last date is usually in late October or rarely November.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 46)
Fall maxima: 57 on 19 September 1994 at Hamlin Beach. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 47) 85 on 29 September 1984 (Griffith) at Greece. (GOS, November 1984) 250 on 14 October 1975 (Perrigo) along the west lakeshore. (KB26: 37). 60 on 16 October 1954 (Van Beurden) west lakeshore. (GNR)
Winter: Stragglers can linger into early December – such as one on 2 December 1999 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay (LG, February 2000), another on 11 December 1983 (RBA trip) at Conesus Lake (LG, January 1984) and another on 20 December 1987 (Griffith, Oswald) at Greece. (LG, January 1988) But this species is hardly ever seen after winter really sets in and ponds freeze over. Indeed, as of 1954 it had not been recorded at all at this season. (GOS, January/February 1954) And it was not recorded in our region on any of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007.
Fall maxima: 57 on 19 September 1994 at Hamlin Beach. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 47) 85 on 29 September 1984 (Griffith) at Greece. (GOS, November 1984) 250 on 14 October 1975 (Perrigo) along the west lakeshore. (KB26: 37). 60 on 16 October 1954 (Van Beurden) west lakeshore. (GNR)
Winter: Stragglers can linger into early December – such as one on 2 December 1999 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay (LG, February 2000), another on 11 December 1983 (RBA trip) at Conesus Lake (LG, January 1984) and another on 20 December 1987 (Griffith, Oswald) at Greece. (LG, January 1988) But this species is hardly ever seen after winter really sets in and ponds freeze over. Indeed, as of 1954 it had not been recorded at all at this season. (GOS, January/February 1954) And it was not recorded in our region on any of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007.
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanopteraCinnamon Teal
Anybody looking from Priem Road back toward the West Fork of Lake Road in Hamlin at the end of March in 2004 was almost guaranteed of seeing something memorable in the flooded cornfield.A Eurasian Wigeon on the 25th. Two Greater White-fronted Geese on the 26th. And, best of all, a male Cinnamon Teal, on the 28th. (LG June 2004)Geoffrey Buell spotted it at 7:15 a.m., “an overall dark bird” feeding with Green-winged Teal and Mallards. “Bill shape was longer and more shoveler-shaped,” Buell noted in his verification report. “As sunrise was more pronounced, observed overall reddish color…”The bird flew into a deeper part of the water, swimming and foraging, then worked its way into the corn to forage, repeating this process several times and sometimes venturing “as much as 150 yards from the water,” Buell noted.This male was “viewed by many birders from all over western New York, thanks in part to numerous phone calls, internet postings, e-mails and word of mouth,” Bill Symonds noted (LG June 2004). Among the “loads of people who came and saw it” was Bob Spahn. “Sometimes the heat shimmer was a problem, but on good days you could see the red eye.” The plumage “was a real cinnamon color. It was gorgeous.”
Background
Populations of these small dabbling ducks can be found from western U.S. and Canada, south through Mexico, and in Central and South America. It rarely breeds in midcontinent prairie potholes, instead preferring freshwater or brackish wetlands of the western intermountain regions, and also the highly alkaline waters of the Great Basin. North American populations are estimated at 260,000 to 300,000, and though stable, this makes Cinnamon Teal one of the least abundant dabbling ducks on our continent. Wanders rarely to eastern U.S., where some sightings may be of escapees from captivity. (BNA 209: 1-3)
Status
Extremely rare vagrant. Only three records, but all within 13 months.
Occurrence
A male on 28 March 2004 (Buell) Hamlin (LG, June 2004; KB 54:227)A male on 6 April 2005 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin (KB 55:270) A “a well-observed flyby drake” 6 April and on 10 April 2005 (Starfire, D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay (Inside the Kettle, July 2005, LG, June 2005)
Note: Both Buell’s verification report and Little Gull give the date of the 2004 sighting as 28 March; Kingbird and Goshawk give the date as 25 March.
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataNorthern Shoveler
This species puts its unmistakable, spatulate bill to good use: Depending on the season, Shovelers spend as much as 84 percent of their time foraging for food.That is not surprising, given that a typical Shoveler weighing 700 grams needs to take in the equivalent of 910 grams per day of plant material, or 233 grams of water fleas, or 60 to 80 grams of insects in order to meet its metabolic needs. (BNA 217:6-7)It obtains its food primarily by holding its bill in the water while swimming, straining out small invertebrates by continually dabbling.If this duck “swallowed all of the water it scoops up, in order to get its desired food…it surely would sink,” Edson noted. Fortunately, the grooves along its enormous bill allow the water to escape, he added. (WBR, 23 November 1942) Background
This colorful puddle duck with the elongated, spatulated bill breeds from Britain and Scandinavia to central Europe, the Caucasus to Siberia. In North America, it breeds primarily in the prairie potholes of the northern Plains through Canada into Alaska, but also along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River valley. It differs from other North American dabblers in some key respects, notes the profile in The Birds of North America series. To feed, it holds its unique, spatulate bill in the water while swimming, straining out small invertebrates. It is more territorial than other dabblers, and males and females remain paired longer during the breeding season. North American population, estimated at 2.85 million birds in 1995, appears to be increasing, perhaps due to improved habitat and water levels on breeding grounds. (BNA 217: 1-3, 13)
Local history
Eaton (1910) considered this an uncommon transient in Monroe and Wayne counties. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to two birds, with a maximum count of only 7, on dates ranging from 8 November to 26 May.When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings submitted by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, this was one of the dabblers least often reported – only 120 records, reaching highest average counts of 20 to 30 during the last half of October. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B)“Although observed yearly,” Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) noted, “the Shoveler is still an uncommon species, but it has apparently increased slightly in numbers during the past ten years.” (B&M, p. 132)John Bull (1974) reported that it had “increased markedly” in the Northeast during the past 20 years, favoring shallow ponds and marshes, often in association with Blue-winged Teal. (Bull, p. 130)This colorful, interesting species continues to appear here regularly during migration, but is hardly ever reported in large numbers.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common spring transient; an occasional, rare summer visitant; a regular, uncommon fall transient, and a sporadic, very rare winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a sporadic rare winter visitant, a regular fairly common spring transient, a casual rare summer visitant and a (presumably irregular) uncommon fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 22 February (1954) to 7 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 to 30 March. Subsequently, one to two were seen 17 and 23 February 1991 (mob) at Greece during a warm spell that “brought the first surge of spring migrants.” (GNR) Note, however, that one was at Greece on several dates in January, apparently overwintering. Was one at Greece on 10 February 1980 (Davids) an even earlier “spring” migrant or overwintering as well? (KB 30:107) In most years had departed by 20 May, with a late departure date of 31 May. Spring maxima: 64 max. on 14 March 1988 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay. (GNR) 50 on 24 April 1965 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) west lakeshore. (GNR, KB15: 165) Summer/breeding status: We are at the outermost limits of its breeding range, hence it is a rare breeder in New York state, usually in refuges and wildlife management areas, such as Montezuma NWR, where it can find marshy areas with shallow waterways and abundant vegetation which surround dry meadows for nesting. (Andrle, p. 74) Occasionally a summer resident is reported in potential nesting areas in our region. Pairs were at Braddock Bay and at Galen Marsh in Wayne County during the first BBA, but breeding was not confirmed. (Andrle, p. 74) During the second project, only one block in our region had possible evidence of breeding. Breeding was confirmed in one block that was assigned to Region 2 but actually lies just outside the region.
Summer maxima: 3 on 25 July 1999 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, September 1999) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 23 August to 3 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 1 to 26 September. Subsequently, one at Hamlin Beach 18 Aug 2002 (Symonds) set a new record early date for fall (KB 52:350); one even earlier, on 16 August 1957 (Listman) at Braddock Bay was apparently considered a summer visitor. (GNR) In most years had departed by 20 November, with a late departure date of 3 December. Relatively few birds were tallied at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, where the average count for an entire fall season was only 16. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 46)
Fall maxima: 8 on 23 August 1973 (Lloyd) at Webster. (GNR) 29 on 16 October 1997 (Marcotte) Round Pond. (personal notes) 35 on 29 November 1978 (Madden) Conesus Lake. (GOS, January 1979) Winter: Seldom tarries into winter. Tanghe, examining Genesee Ornithological Society field trips from 1951-1954, did not find a single record from January or December, and only one in the last half of February, perhaps an early migrant. However, Region 2 Kingbird reports show January or early February sightings of this species in eight of 30 years from 1976 to 2005. Recorded in our region on only 6 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, all since 1991. The largest count was 6 in 2003.
Winter maxima: 31 on 18 December 1994 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, February 1995) 31 on 19 December 1999 (Rochester CBC) at Greece and Braddock Bay. (KB 50: 160) 11 on 21 December 1997 (Whittum, Daniel, McGraw) Northrup Creek. (GNR) 4 on 2 January 1994 (mob) Irondequoit Bay. (KB 44: 122) 5 on 7-17 January 1995 (mob) Irondequoit Bay. (GNR) 6 on 12 January 2003 Irondequoit Bay. (KB 53: 142)
Gadwall
Mareca streperaGadwall
“In flight, both sexes and all ages distinguished from all other North American dabbling ducks by conspicuous white speculum.”– from “Gadwall,” The Birds of North America
At one time, the opportunities to “distinguish” this duck from other species were extremely limited in our region.“Up to about five years ago the reports from Rochester were far between,” Edson noted in 1935. (WBR, 25 November 1935) However, nine had shown up on one of the lakes at Durand-Eastman Park that fall. “The gadwalls seem to have changed their migration route to make the artificial lakes at Durand-Eastman Park one of their stopping places, as almost without exception each migration finds a few that stop for a short time or, if the winter is open, an individual or two may remain all winter.” As recently as 1952, Gadwall was among 20 species marked by an asterisk on Genesee Ornithological Society checklists, “for which a detailed observation (report) is required” because of “difficulty of identification or rarity.” (GOS, May/August 1952)Not anymore. One of the more positive waterfowl trends the past century has been the steady increase in this species’ numbers here, allowing birders to enjoy the subtle, but attractive plumage of the males.So it was appropriate that an RBA field trip found 10 of these ducks on Durand-Eastman’s Lake Eastman on 21 October 2006, one of the same lakes where nine had been so noteworthy in 1935. This time the occasion was noteworthy only because it provided a good opportunity for beginning birders to closely compare the plumage of males and females. Even in the neutral lighting of a mostly overcast day, the “distinguishing” white speculum of one of the males was eye-catching, even as the bird floated on the water.“Boy, is THAT white,” one of the birders was heard to say.
Background
More than 90 percent of females are already paired by November, four to five months before breeding begins, notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. Its breeding range is centered in north-central U.S. and the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Because it nests in dense cover and often on islands, it has higher rates of nesting success than other prairie-nesting ducks. Following the loss of habitat and the droughts of the 1960s, 70s and early 80s, this species reached record numbers from 1986-1996, increasing more than any duck species during that decade. It has expanded breeding range into the northwestern U.S., and eastern Canada, including the St. Lawrence region. Range expanded into the Great lakes region after 1960. Indeed, its “range has changed during this (20th century) more than any other duck in North America.” (BNA 283: 1-4, 15)
Local history
As noted above, this handsome, subtly plumaged dabbler was once much less common here. Eaton (1910) wrote that this species, though not common anywhere in the state, was “frequently taken” on the marshes of Wayne and Monroe counties. Yet he listed it as only a rare transient – recorded only a few times – in both, with no indication of occurrence in Livingston. (Eaton I: 188, county charts) Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) considered this a rare migrant in western New York before the mid 1930s. They recounted that James Savage, “an ardent duck hunter and waterfowl observer,” didn’t see his first Gadwall in western New York until 1931. (B&M, p. 126) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to two birds, with a maximum count of 20 both spring and fall, on dates ranging from 27 January to 25 April, and from 21 October to 29 November.When Leo Tanghe analyzed the checklists of Genesee Ornithological Society member outings within a 50-miles radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, this was still the dabbling duck least often mentioned – other than such rarities as European Teal and Wigeon – with only 58 records, and a maximum average of 7-10 birds. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B) That was fewer than half the next lowest tally of sightings – 120 – for Shoveler.There was not a single record in spring 1958. (KB 8: 12, 46) No wonder Starling in 1962 described it as “among our most uncommon ducks . . . usually seen once or twice each spring and fall.” (WBR, 12 March 1962) “Formerly (prior to 1940) considered very rare to rare in the east, the Gadwall has increased tremendously in New York since the early 1950s and particularly during the late 1960s,” John Bull (1974) observed. (Bull, p. 114) Twenty at Braddock Bay on 30 March 1972 (Listman, mob) was the “best local count in recent memory” (KB 22:85) – though a “fine count” of 28 had been reported from Sodus Bay on 10 April (B. and C. Perrigo) the year before. (KB21: 149)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common spring and fall transient; an irregular, uncommon summer resident, and an irregular, uncommon winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular uncommon winter visitant, a (presumably regular) fairly common spring transient and a (presumably regular) fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 5 March to 15 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 15 to 30 March. Subsequently, two on 21 February 1988 (R. and S. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay outlet were even earlier “firsts” for the spring migration. (GNR) One on 18 February 1991 (Davids) on Conesus Lake either overwintered or was a very early migrant. (Fox, p. 28) In most years had departed by 9 May, with a late departure date of 31 May. Spring maxima: 100 on 25 March 1978 (O’Hara, P. Weld) at Irondequoit/Braddock bays. (GOS, May 1978) 50 on 6 April 1978 (R. Spahn) Braddock Bay. (GNR) 35 on 8 April 1975 (Doris, Stear, Wilton) lakeshore. (GNR) 56 on 15 April 1990 (Marcotte) at Round Pond. (KB40: 178, GNR)
Summer/breeding status: First documented breeding of Gadwall in the state was on Long Island in 1947, and it has nested continuously at Montezuma NWR since 1950. (Andrle, p. 76)Sightings on 4 July 1953 (Listman, Schaefer) at Shore Acres and on 28 July 1954 at Ling Road indicated “possible nestings in these areas, although neither a nest nor a brood of young has been observed,” Beardslee and Mitchell noted. (B&M, p. 126)By the BBA, it had become a common breeder on Long Island, with other confirmations at Montezuma, at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda WMAs and in the St. Lawrence River Valley. (Andrle, p. 76) Though still primarily a migrant in our region, evidence of breeding was found at Kendall in 1976 (see maxima below) and in 1990, when Dick O’Hara found an adult and three young on 19 July. (GOS, September 1990; KB 40:248)
The confirmed breeding during the first BBA project was in a block at Montezuma assigned to Region 2 but actually just outside the actual boundaries of our region. Summer maxima: 15 on 29 June 1977 (Symonds) at Point Breeze. (LG, July 1977) 11 – an adult and 10 young – on 18 July 1976 (F. and R. Dobson) at Kendall. (GNR) 10 on 29 July 2003 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 53:346, LGNR)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 September to 31 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 30 September to 4 October. Five at Hamlin Beach on 20 August 2002 (Symonds) were considered record early fall migrants. (KB 52:350) In most years had departed by 29 November, with a late departure date of 9 December.This species does not appear to migrate in significant numbers along Lake Ontario in fall, with an average seasonal count of only 73 during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project. “There are not significant breeding grounds for Gadwall north of Lake Ontario,” Ewald and Sherony note. “Another possible reason for the low number of Gadwall is the fact that they migrate at night.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 49)
Fall maxima: 250 on 12 October 1986 (R. Dobson) at Savannah. (GOS, December 1986) 200 on 6 November 1999 (M. Tetlow) at Northrup Creek. (LG, January 2000) 75+ on 26 November 1978 (Lenhard, mob) at Braddock Bay. (KB29: 36, GNR) 42 on 2 December 2005 (Griffith) at Durand Eastman. (LG, February 2006) 67 on 9 December 1995 (Marcotte) at Round Pond. (Personal notes) 72 on 9 December 2003 (R. Spahn) Irondequoit Bay. (KB 54:149, GNR)
Winter: Not recorded from our region on any of the January Waterfowl Counts from 1955 to 1967. It is now among the puddle ducks most likely to stay into late fall and winter. More recently, recorded from our region on 23 of the 33 counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, with numbers increasing markedly from 1992 on. Average JWC tally from 1975 to 1991 was 3.7; the average from 1992 on was 45.9. The largest counts were 108 in 2002, then 154 in 2006.
Winter maxima: 64 on 17 December 1995 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, February 1996) 93 on 20 December 2006 (C. and R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (LG, February 2007) 75 on 21 December 1997 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, March 1998) 63 on 11 January 1998 (J. Boettcher, R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (KB48: 143, GNR) 89 on 18 January 2006 (Martin) at Conesus Lake. (LG March 2006) 110 max. through January 2002 (mob) at Irondequoit Bay. (KB 52: 152)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 September to 31 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 30 September to 4 October. Five at Hamlin Beach on 20 August 2002 (Symonds) were considered record early fall migrants. (KB 52:350) In most years had departed by 29 November, with a late departure date of 9 December.This species does not appear to migrate in significant numbers along Lake Ontario in fall, with an average seasonal count of only 73 during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project. “There are not significant breeding grounds for Gadwall north of Lake Ontario,” Ewald and Sherony note. “Another possible reason for the low number of Gadwall is the fact that they migrate at night.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 49)
Fall maxima: 250 on 12 October 1986 (R. Dobson) at Savannah. (GOS, December 1986) 200 on 6 November 1999 (M. Tetlow) at Northrup Creek. (LG, January 2000) 75+ on 26 November 1978 (Lenhard, mob) at Braddock Bay. (KB29: 36, GNR) 42 on 2 December 2005 (Griffith) at Durand Eastman. (LG, February 2006) 67 on 9 December 1995 (Marcotte) at Round Pond. (Personal notes) 72 on 9 December 2003 (R. Spahn) Irondequoit Bay. (KB 54:149, GNR)
Winter: Not recorded from our region on any of the January Waterfowl Counts from 1955 to 1967. It is now among the puddle ducks most likely to stay into late fall and winter. More recently, recorded from our region on 23 of the 33 counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, with numbers increasing markedly from 1992 on. Average JWC tally from 1975 to 1991 was 3.7; the average from 1992 on was 45.9. The largest counts were 108 in 2002, then 154 in 2006.
Winter maxima: 64 on 17 December 1995 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, February 1996) 93 on 20 December 2006 (C. and R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (LG, February 2007) 75 on 21 December 1997 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, March 1998) 63 on 11 January 1998 (J. Boettcher, R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (KB48: 143, GNR) 89 on 18 January 2006 (Martin) at Conesus Lake. (LG March 2006) 110 max. through January 2002 (mob) at Irondequoit Bay. (KB 52: 152)
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca PenelopeEurasian Wigeon
Males are striking in appearance and easily identified; females are almost indistinguishable from female American Wigeon. “I have as yet never seen a female which I could be certain was the European bird,” Edson confessed in 1945. (WBR, 23 April 1945) Seven years later, Dick O’Hara found a female, or an immature, on 28 November about 100 yards off Durand-Eastman Park in excellent lighting. It was with a small group of Black Ducks, but steered clear of several American Wigeon nearby. It looked like a female Baldpate (American Wigeon), O’Hara wrote, “except that the upper part of the head was quite distinctly reddish in contrast to the female Baldpates present, which had the usual gray head. The bird was easy to pick out and clearly differed from any other bird there.” (GOS, November-December 1952) Background
This counterpart of American Wigeon is abundant throughout the northern hemisphere of the Old World, breeding by small lakes and marshes in both open and sparsely wooded country from Iceland and northern Britain across Scandinavia and northern portions of Russia to the Pacific coast. Often found grazing in grasslands to a greater extent than most other ducks, note Madge and Burn in Waterfowl. “In North America it is an annual vagrant, being regular on Bermuda and on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, rarer still inland, both in winter and spring, usually associating with American Wigeon.” (Madge and Burn, pp. 195-196)
Local History
This species “is probably not so rare as has been supposed in eastern North America,” Eaton (1910) suggested. (Eaton I: 189) However, he lists no occurrence for Monroe, Livingston or Wayne counties in his county charts. Indeed, R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, reported only these sightings: a staggering total of eight on 31March 1918, and single birds on 28 January 1932, and 15 and 21 April 1934.After about 1936, however, reports steadily increased. “They appear here almost every year, one or two males being recorded,” Edson reported in 1949. (WBR, 26 October 1936, 21 April 1941, 14 March 1949) Seventeen sightings were tallied by GOS members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester (including Oak Orchard and Montezuma, just outside the current boundaries of Region 2) during the years 1951-1954; all but one were in spring, including 10 in April, according to Leo Tanghe’s compilations. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2A) Bull (1974) wrote that this species was most prevalent from the late 1920s to the early 1950s. (Bull, p. 122) However, Eurasian Wigeon continues to be a rare but nearly annual visitor here. “It is thought by some that there may be a small breeding population . . . somewhere in the Canadian Arctic. However, a few North American individuals do originate in Europe as proved by several birds banded in Iceland and taken along the Atlantic Coast,” Bull noted. (Bull, p. 123) Look for this species on ponds or bays, or where flocks of wigeon gather in fields along the west lakeshore in spring.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, rare spring transient and an occasional, very rare fall transient. Since 1987 it has been recorded every spring except two.
Occurrence
About 79 records, of which about 60 were in March and April and another 10 in May.
Spring:The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 22 March to 28 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 2 to 20 April. This either overlooked or discarded one reported on 29 February 1948 (Tanghe) at Grandview Beach. (GNR) Other, more recent earlier arrivals include one on 7 March 1991 (Lanzone) at Braddock Bay (KB 41:181) and one on 8 March 1998 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 48:223) In most years had departed by 7 May, with a late departure date of 31 May. March 2006 saw a record influx, with as many as 11 birds reported, including four on 25 March at Savannah. (KB 56: 240)
Fall:Only about 7-8 records since 1948. The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 16 September to 28 November (1952). An eclipse male on 11 September 1999 (G. Phillips et al), no location given, (GNR) was a new record early date. However, this sighting is not mentioned in KB.
Winter:One on 8-12 February 1987 (D. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay (KB 37:83) was considered our first winter record. Another on 5 February 2006 (Wheeler) was at Savannah. (LG, April 2006)
Fall:Only about 7-8 records since 1948. The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 16 September to 28 November (1952). An eclipse male on 11 September 1999 (G. Phillips et al), no location given, (GNR) was a new record early date. However, this sighting is not mentioned in KB.
Winter:One on 8-12 February 1987 (D. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay (KB 37:83) was considered our first winter record. Another on 5 February 2006 (Wheeler) was at Savannah. (LG, April 2006)
American Wigeon
(formerly Baldpate)Mareca AmericanaAmerican Wigeon
It is tempting to think about migration as a relatively straightforward proposition, in which birds follow relatively simple north to south corridors in fall, and vice versa in spring.Until you spend some time at Hamlin Beach State Park watching what happens when waterfowl migrate along Lake Ontario. The lake serves as a huge collection point for a variety of migrating or wintering species. Much of the traffic is actually east to west, or vice versa.Most American Wigeon, for example, migrate along the Mississippi and Central flyways to their wintering areas. However, a “significant” number move from Ontario, Canada to the Long Island shore.When Braddock Bay Raptor Research conducted a systematic, daily fall lakewatch from 1993 to 1999, observers caught a “small hint” of this migration, tallying, on average, 566 birds each fall, normally in groups of 10 to 20, flying high off the water and often with Mallards or Northern Pintail.Two thirds of them were flying east. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 3, 50)
Background
This is one of our more distinctive looking ducks. Males in breeding plumage give the unique appearance of having a slab of white frosting on their foreheads. The “baldpate” breeds from the Bering Sea to Hudson Bay, and from the tundra edge south to the southern prairies. Bill adaptations allow this “most vegetarian of the dabblers” to forage extensively in upland agricultural areas. On wintering areas they also associate with American Coots and various diving ducks, “pilfering plant material brought to the surface by these species as they themselves are not proficient divers,” notes Thomas Mowbray in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. There was a decline in population in the early 1980s, from 3.5 million to 1.8 million, during widescale drought in the prairies. Since then this species steadily increased to more than 3.1 million by 1997, as wet weather restored suitable nesting habitat, and as this species expanded its range eastward through Michigan, Ontario and Quebec to include scattered nesting around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. (BNA 401: 1-2, 4, 8, 21)
Local history
This species “increased tremendously” in the Northeast “within very recent times,” John Bull (1974) observed. (Bull, p. 122) Eaton (1910) listed it as a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of 2 to 12 birds in spring, with a maximum count of 300, on dates ranging from 16 February to 2 June. In fall, only single birds were the norm, on dates ranging from 10 September to 29 December, but there had been a maximum count of 2,000When Leo Tanghe examined the checklists submitted by Genesee Ornithological Society members for the outings they took 1951-1954 within a 50-miler radius of Rochester, this was the fourth most frequently reported dabbler – trailing only Mallard, Black Duck and Blue-winged Teal. Average counts of 500 to 700 were reported for the last half of October. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common spring and fall transient and an irregular, rare summer and winter visitant. It is also a sporadic, localized breeder.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular uncommon to fairly common winter visitant, a (presumably regular) fairly common (formerly common) spring transient, a casual rare summer visitant and a (presumably regular) fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 9 February (1949) to 9 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 27 February to 20 March. In most years had departed by 30 May, with a late departure date of 23 June. In Livingston County, migrants are most often found on flooded farm fields, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 29) That is also a common gathering spot for these ducks along the west lakeshore. 15 on 9 February 1949 (Chapin et al) at Braddock Bay was a good tally for so early in the season. (GNR)
Spring maxima: 100 on 28 February 1976 (RBA field trip) west lakeshore. (LG, March 1976) 400 on 23 March 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Hamlin. (LG, May 2006) 200 on 28 March 1971 (Claffey, mob) Groveland Flats. (GNR; Fox, p. 29). 200 on 4 April 1959 (O’Hara) Ling Road to Manitou. (KB 9:78, GNR) 800 on 7 April 2007 (T. Johnson) Savannah. (LG, June 2007) 100 on 11 April 1965 (O’Hara) west lakeshore. (KB 15:165)
Summer/breeding status: By 1988 it had expanded its breeding range southeastward from Canada, becoming established in western New York and the St. Lawrence River valley. It first nested in New York at Montezuma NWR in 1954. (Andrle, p. 78). Breeding is occasional in our region, but was recorded in Carlton, Orleans County, in 1986 – female with a brood of 8 young along Sawyer Road – and again 1989, both records coming after the first BBA project. (KB36: 216; 39: 228; GNR) A pair was at Hamlin Beach State Park (Symonds) on 20, 24 June 2002. (GNR)
Not surprisingly, summer sightings are not unusual. Summer maxima: 20 on 11 July 1953 (Van Beurden) at Rose’s Marsh. (GOS, September/October 1953) 7 on 12 July 1992 (Davids) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 8 on 25 July 2000 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (LGNR)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 17 August (1982) to 13 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 3 September to 1 October. In most years had departed by 3 December, with a late departure date of 13 December.Like other dabbling ducks, it is one of the earlier waterfowl to reach peak numbers off Hamlin Beach. The lakewatch project there averaged 566 a season, most of them headed east, presumably from Ontario to prime wintering areas on the Long Island shore. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 50-51)
Fall maxima: 600 on 26 October 1958 (Genesee Ornithological Society hike, Listman) along the west lakeshore. (GNR) 375 on 26 October 1971 (Perrigo) at Mendon Ponds Park. (KB 22:29) 294 on 14 October 1994 Hamlin Beach. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 51) 75 on 6 December 1953 (McKinney et al) Hamlin. (GOS, November-December 1953)
Winter: “One lone baldpate, or American widgeon, is passing the Winter on Lake Ontario and other open water nearby, sometimes coming in to feed with the other ducks at Durand-Eastman Park,” Horsey and Edson reported in 1931. (“One Lonely Baldpate Haunts Lake, Companions All South,” D&C, 23 February 1931) Not reported from our region on the January Waterfowl Count, which began in 1955, until 1964 – a single bird. More recently, recorded in our region on 19 of the 33 counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, almost yearly since 1991 and reaching double digits in four years since 1992 when a high count of 16 was recorded.
Winter maxima: 25 on 21 December 1997 (mob) Rochester CBC. (GOS, March 1998) 30 on 21 December 2003 (Lehr, Marino, C. McKinney) at Ellison Park. (GOS, April 2004) 16 on 6 January 1995 (B. and B. Powell) west lakeshore. (LG, February 1995) 13 on 11 January 1992 (Ambrose, T. Smith) Little Lakes area. (GNR) 11 on 14 January 2001 (T. Smith, J. Pearson) at Conesus Lake. (GNR) 6 on 16 January 2000 (Hartenstein, Olson) at Conesus Lake. (GNR) 6 max. on 6, 22 January 1995 (C. Cass, Clarridge, D. and D. Traver) Conesus Lake. (GNR)
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosMallard
An anxious crowd gathered at the Twelve Corners in Brighton on Mother’s Day 1989. A worried hen mallard was standing on Monroe Avenue near a street grating. Five feet below was her entire brood. The little ducklings had apparently fallen through the openings, and the mother “was determined not to desert them,” Frank Dobson reported. (Birds, 4 June 1989) People responded immediately. David Kaplan tried to lift the grate by himself but it was too heavy. Another man stopped in his van to help. They lifted the grate and the second man lowered himself inside and began lifting the ducklings, one by one, to the surface. A Brighton police officer arrived to control traffic; an off-duty police officer happened by and also helped out. Rescued ducklings quickly scampered to their mother for protection. “Evidently, the hen’s recollection of her family’s size was not too good,” Dobson noted, “for when five little ones were rescued, she decided that was plenty and with a couple of motherly utterings, she started to lead them away.” Two more rescued ducklings caught up on their own as mom led her family across Monroe Avenue to a stream at Brighton Middle School; the last two were carried over by their rescuers. “It was not long before all were acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had ever happened. They all paddled happily, on a zig-zag course along the tiny creek. Who said there are no caring people to be found these days,” Dobson added. Such rescues have become almost annual – a staple of local newspaper and TV news – and yet, at one time, the mere presence of nesting mallards in our region would have been big news.
Background
The success of this, our most abundant duck, “reflects its adaptability to varied habitats, its hardiness in cold climates, its catholic food tastes and its tolerance of human activities,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. It is the source of all domestic ducks except the Muscovy, and feral populations, composed of mixtures of wild Mallards and domesticated breeds, live in urban areas throughout the world, quite habituated to the humans who feed them. Though this is the most heavily hunted duck in North America, its populations remain more or less steady. It bred only in central and western North America prior to the 20th century. Its range extended east and northeast because of releases of captive-bred birds for hunting; winter populations in British Columbia increased dramatically in the early 1930s with the introduction of grain farming. Domestication extends back at least into the 12th century in Europe and more than 2,000 years in Southeast Asia. “Many variants of shape, size, and color produced by artificial selection to maximize meat production or egg production, or for specialized purposes such as use as live decoys or interesting plumages for aviculturalists.” Winters as far north as open water and food are available. Midcontinent population estimated at 9.5 million in 2000, with another 890,000 in eastern U.S. (BNA 658: 1, 4, 6, 25)
Local history
One need only read Eaton’s Birds of New York, and then look at page 67 of The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State to understand the dramatic change in this species’ status that occurred in just 70 years. Eaton (1910) said it bred “very rarely” in Livingston and Monroe counties, and described it as only a rare summer resident in Wayne. Even as a migrant it was only fairly common in Monroe and Wayne, and uncommon in Livingston, “but nowhere in the State is as abundant as the Black duck.” (Eaton I:184, county charts) And yet, Monroe County is almost completed blacked out with blocks of confirmed breeding during the first BBA of 1980-85, and confirmations were numerous in Livingston and Wayne.What happened?This species expanded eastward during the early to mid 1900s, aided when the state Conservation Department created or improved 900 marshes. (Andrle, p. 66) As early as 1931, the Rochester Chapter of the Izaak Walton League released a “first lot” of 150 banded Mallards at Mendon Ponds Park; “plans are now under way for the releasing of approximately 2,000 ducks next year.” (“Mallard will provide sport and statistics,” D&C, 31 August 1931)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, considered this both a resident and migrant species, and apparently increasing. He indicated average counts of one to 20 birds, with a maximum count of 250.The population further exploded after the state released more than 20,000 pen-reared Mallards during 1952-1956. (Andrle, p. 66) Even in 1963, 500 artificially raised Mallards were being released here by sportsmen. When “well-meaning” but “misguided” persons began feeding these birds, they had to be relocated to more remote areas. (KB 13:209)Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) cite a typical example of this species’ rapid establishment in neighboring Buffalo: 25 Mallards released at Delaware Park Lake on 5 April 1941 had multiplied to 841 four years later. “The proportion between the Mallard and the Black Duck (in western New York) used to be about one to ten; at present, however, the ratio is more nearly even,” they wrote. (B&M, p. 124) However, by 1958, the Mallard had “sneaked ahead of the Black and Wood Ducks during the last five years,” as the number one breeding duck species in western New York, Dirck Benson wrote. (GOS, March/May 1958) By 1969 it had “mainly replaced the Black Duck” as a breeding species here, Howard Miller noted. (KB 19:215).A similar pattern was occurring in winter. During the first 10 years of the January Waterfowl Count, for example, from 1955 to 1964, Mallard was consistently tallied in lower numbers in Region 2 than Black Duck, averaging 67.2 per count compared to 169.5 for Black Duck.That began to change in 1965 when Mallard outnumbered Black Duck in Region 2 for the first time: 135 to 36. Two years later it outnumbered Black Duck 453 to 139. Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, abundant spring and fall transient; a regular, common summer resident; and a regular, very common winter visitant. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular very common (often abundant) winter visitant, a regular abundant spring and fall transient, and a regular fairly common summer resident.
Occurrence
Summer/breeding status: In 1979, Robert Spahn reported that “we find Mallard exploding with many double nestings, and by contrast, few pairs of nesting Black Duck.” (KB29: 215) Mallards have been extremely adaptable to human surroundings. In 1978, for example, a pair of mallards showed up at the Kusovich residence on Lakeshore Boulevard in Irondequoit, feeding on polliwogs in the water that gathered atop the cover of an inground pool. The Mallards kept coming back each spring for two to three weeks, even when there weren’t any polliwogs. The fifth year they stayed and nested in a cedar hedge near to the pool. After the pool cover was removed, 11 downy ducklings were paddling around in the water. When they appeared to have trouble leaving the pool, a plywood ramp was put in place for them. (Birds, 26 June 1983)
The Breeding Bird Atlas projects are remarkably consistent in documenting how widespread this species now is in our region.
Summer maxima: 350 on 16 June 1969 (Listman) at Braddock Bay. (GNR)
Fall maxima: 700 on 26 October 1971 (Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 22:29) 650 on 6 November 1981 (C. Cass) Brighton Park. (GNR) 750 on 7 November 1978 (Listman) Kendall. (KB 29:36, LGNR) 800 on 7 November 1979 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, December 1979) 600 on 18-19 November 1969 (C. and B. Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 20:17) 900 on 22 November 1979 (C. and B. Perrigo) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 30:32, LGNR) Winter: On the January Waterfowl Counts for 1975 to 2004, Mallard was the most numerous species reported in Region 2, with an average count of 4,469.23, outnumbering Black Duck (average count 379.1) more than ten to one.
Fall maxima: 700 on 26 October 1971 (Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 22:29) 650 on 6 November 1981 (C. Cass) Brighton Park. (GNR) 750 on 7 November 1978 (Listman) Kendall. (KB 29:36, LGNR) 800 on 7 November 1979 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, December 1979) 600 on 18-19 November 1969 (C. and B. Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 20:17) 900 on 22 November 1979 (C. and B. Perrigo) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 30:32, LGNR) Winter: On the January Waterfowl Counts for 1975 to 2004, Mallard was the most numerous species reported in Region 2, with an average count of 4,469.23, outnumbering Black Duck (average count 379.1) more than ten to one.
During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 72 percent of the days, averaging 33 a day. However, his maximum count was 1,100 on 23 January 1995. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)
Other winter maxima: 2,500 on 15 December 1979 (J. Skelly, P. Reister) Silver Lake. (KB30: 107) 4,626 on 19 December 1992 (Szabo) at Letchworth SP. (LG, January 1993) 4,000 on 6 January 1982 (mob) Conesus Lake. (KB32:114, GNR) 7,000 on 8 January 1994 (D. and D. Traver) at Caledonia. (LG, February 1994) 2,000 on 20 January 1978 (B. Perrigo) Strong Estate in Brighton. (LG, February 1978) 5,000 on 4 February 1993 (Symonds) at Elba. (LG, March 1993)
Other winter maxima: 2,500 on 15 December 1979 (J. Skelly, P. Reister) Silver Lake. (KB30: 107) 4,626 on 19 December 1992 (Szabo) at Letchworth SP. (LG, January 1993) 4,000 on 6 January 1982 (mob) Conesus Lake. (KB32:114, GNR) 7,000 on 8 January 1994 (D. and D. Traver) at Caledonia. (LG, February 1994) 2,000 on 20 January 1978 (B. Perrigo) Strong Estate in Brighton. (LG, February 1978) 5,000 on 4 February 1993 (Symonds) at Elba. (LG, March 1993)
American Black Duck
Anas rubripesAmerican Black Duck
Hard words – and hard cash – were exchanged over a flock of these birds along the lakeshore in 1902, according to a story in the Rochester Post Express.“Picture to yourself one of the ponds at sunrise, with the mists slowly rolling away and showing stretches of placid water,” the newspaper recounted. “The man with the gun – he had not had it very long – hurried to the side of the pond . . . not noticing a small blind which had been cleverly contrived among the rushes.“In a moment his hunting blood was up and his gun, too, for quietly swinging about in a curve near the shore was a flock of black ducks! Bang! In his excitement he fired the first barrel too high, but the second one did good execution and six of these pretty ducks were killed.”Oops. Out of the blind “rose an infuriated man, the owner of the aforesaid black ducks, which were tame birds, used as decoys, and wearing on their legs anchors of some description to keep them from swimming away.”The man with the gun went home “meditating if shooting ducks was such sport after all, particularly when you had to pay one dollar and fifty cents per duck, when they happened to be decoys.” (“At Home and Broad,” Rochester Post Express, 25 October 1902)In the wild, this “exceedingly wary bird . . . soon learns to give decoys and ‘blinds’ . . . a wide berth, and when disturbed on its feeding grounds will remain all day on the open lake or ocean and return to feed only when darkness has settled,” Eaton observed. On 26 October 1901 he shot a Black Duck returning to Canandaigua Lake from a flooded cornfield. From its gullet and gizzard, Eaton took 23,704 weed seeds “which together with a few pebbles, snail shells and chaff were the sole contents of its stomach.” Eaton even sorted the seeds: 13,240 pigweeds, 7,264 knot grass, 2,624 ragweed and 576 dock! (Eaton I:186)Those were the days when Black Duck actually outnumbered Mallard.
Background
This species of eastern Canada and U.S. breeds in a variety of wetlands, including ponds created by beavers, brooks lined by speckled alder, bogs throughout mixed and boreal forests, and salt marshes. Draining of wetlands in southern Ontario, destruction of wintering sites in the Chesapeake Bay and many mid-Atlantic states, and hunting pressure (restricted by lawsuit in 1983) contributed to a long-term decline that saw winter numbers dwindle from 800,000 in the 1950s to 300,000 in the 1990s. Expansion of much more common Mallards into the eastern U.S., and subsequent hybridization with Black Ducks, has led to concerns that Black Ducks are being genetically swamped. “Hybridization of an abundant species with a less abundant and declining one can lead to genetic extinction of the species with the smaller population,” notes the profile of this species for the Birds of North America series. However, “American Black Duck seems not so threatened because it is not geographically isolated, not limited in habitat, and its losses due to harvest are now decreasing.” (BNA 481: 1-2, 5)
Local history
This was once more abundant in New York than the Mallard. (Eaton I:184) Eaton (1910) listed it as a common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, and fairly common in Livingston. He considered it only an occasional summer resident in Monroe and Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, considered this a resident and migrant species, with average counts of one to 20 birds, and a maximum count of 1,000. Like Mallard, he reported, it was common in winter, “fed and protected,” nesting in summer and apparently increasing at Durand-Eastman Park.When James H. Barlow looked back at 20 years of the Rochester CBC, 1927-1947, Black Duck was shown to consistently outnumber Mallard. (GOS, January-February 1948) However, when Leo Tanghe examined checklists of Genesee Ornithological Society members during outings within a 50-mile radius of Rochester for 1951-1954, this dabbler was the second most reported – just behind Mallard. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B) “The Black Duck breeds in every county in western New York and in nearby Canadian areas, and with the possible exception of the Blue-winged Teal, it was until recent years our most common nesting duck,” Beardslee and Mitchell wrote in 1965. (B&M, p. 125)Not anymore. Starting in the 1950s it has been largely displaced by the Mallard, with some studies suggesting Black is being “genetically swamped” through interbreeding with that species. (Levine, p. 154)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, uncommon to fairly common summer resident, and a regular, common fall transient and winter visitant. Recent Breeding Bird Atlas results and other observations suggest this is now much less common as a summer resident.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular, very common (sometimes abundant) winter visitant, a regular common to very common spring transient, an irregular rare (formerly regular uncommon) summer resident and a regular common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: Spring maxima: 300 on 6 April 1975 (Carlson, Linehan) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, June 1975)
Summer/breeding status: In Eaton’s time, the Black Duck was apparently more common as a migrant than a breeder in our region. He gives no evidence of breeding in Livingston County and considered this species only an occasional summer resident in Monroe and Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts) However, Edson was quite impressed when a female Black Duck was found “proudly watching over a family of 12 one-third grown youngsters” at Irondequoit Bay in 1946. “She certainly is either extremely lucky, or even more exceedingly wise to have been able to bring so large a family to this age, as ducklings are a choice tidbit for large turtles or fish, to say nothing of hawks, cats and dogs. . . I certainly believe that any mother duck that can raise 12 youngsters in Irondequoit Bay is a wizard.” (WBR, 17 June 1946)Tanghe in 1953 listed Black Duck as a common breeder in the Rochester area mentioning Tryon Park and Wautoma Beach as nest sites. (GOS, May-August 1953) In 1958, Dirck Benson considered it the second most common breeding duck in Western New York after Mallard, the latter having “sneaked past Black and Wood Ducks during the last fives years.“While Black Ducks feed a lot in the open, they are very wary and scoot to cover mighty fast,” he cautioned. (GOS, March/May 1958)However, in summer 1975, Richard O’Hara noted the “sadly reduced” breeding status of this species in our region. (KB25: 215) The BBA projects document an alarming, ongoing decline.
Fox, writing in 1998, speculated that it may have been extirpated as a breeding bird in Livingston County. (Fox, p. 29) And in summer 1996, reports of Black Duck had joined Blue-winged Teal in the “dismally low category,” Bob Spahn reported. (GOS, September 1996)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 20 October to 28 November.Good numbers are still seen during migration. The average fall count at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch was 1,433, versus 5,660 for Mallard. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 41-43)
Fall maxima: 350 on 26 October 1971 (Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 22:29)400 on 14 November 1982 (Davids) west lakeshore. (GNR)500 on 18-19 November 1969 (C. and B. Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 20:17)400 on 27 November 1979 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (KB 30:32, LGNR)
Winter: During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 44 percent of the days, with an average count of 6 per day. However, his maximum count was 175 on 27 February 2000. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)
Winter maxima: 508 on 5 December 1978 (mob) west lakeshore (KB 29:91, GNR) 400 on 23 December 1979 (Symonds, mob) at Conesus Lake (KB 30:107, LGNR)1,500 on 18 December 1987 (C. Cass) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 29) 600 on 2 January 1966 (Brown, Listman, Mitchell, Templeton) Conesus. (GNR)1,000 on 6 January 1982 (mob) at Conesus Lake when 4,000 Mallards were also there. (KB32: 114, GNR)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 20 October to 28 November.Good numbers are still seen during migration. The average fall count at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch was 1,433, versus 5,660 for Mallard. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 41-43)
Fall maxima: 350 on 26 October 1971 (Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 22:29)400 on 14 November 1982 (Davids) west lakeshore. (GNR)500 on 18-19 November 1969 (C. and B. Perrigo) Mendon Ponds. (KB 20:17)400 on 27 November 1979 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (KB 30:32, LGNR)
Winter: During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 44 percent of the days, with an average count of 6 per day. However, his maximum count was 175 on 27 February 2000. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)
Winter maxima: 508 on 5 December 1978 (mob) west lakeshore (KB 29:91, GNR) 400 on 23 December 1979 (Symonds, mob) at Conesus Lake (KB 30:107, LGNR)1,500 on 18 December 1987 (C. Cass) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 29) 600 on 2 January 1966 (Brown, Listman, Mitchell, Templeton) Conesus. (GNR)1,000 on 6 January 1982 (mob) at Conesus Lake when 4,000 Mallards were also there. (KB32: 114, GNR)
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta For seven years, local birders and hired observers hunched over their spotting scopes at Hamlin Beach State Park from late summer into early winter, braving wind and chill to meticulously tally how many waterfowl were passing by on Lake Ontario. They recorded not only the numbers of birds, but the direction they were flying, their distance from shore, and the accompanying weather.From the reams of accumulated data came some interesting revelations about the different ways various species migrate along the lake.Consider, for example, Northern Pintail, the most numerous dabbler tallied by the lakewatchers.“There is a large difference between Brant, which appear the day after a front passes, and Northern Pintail, which usually move well after frontal passage but just prior to the next front,” Dominic Sherony and Brett Ewald concluded. The difference? Brant and other species that arrive a day or so after a front “are leaving the arctic regions with the frontal system and are moving past Hamlin Beach as part of a continuing journey.”Pintail, and other species that tend to move by three to four days after passage of a front “have most probably accumulated in the Lake Ontario region and are moving past Hamlin Beach as they leave the lake. Lake Ontario serves as a stop over and the weather conditions provide the incentive to depart.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 19)Northern Pintail
Background
This “slender, elegant” dabbler is circumpolar, nesting across Scandinavia, Russia and North America. On this continent, its “core nesting habitat” is in the shallow wetlands of Alaska and the Prairie Pothole Region of southern Canada and the northern Great Plains. Populations fluctuate dramatically, decreasing during drought years, then recovering. However, the overall population declined drastically from 6 million birds in the early 1970s to less than 3 million in the early 1990s. Numbers increased with better breeding conditions in the 1990s and this species has taken advantage of restored wetlands on wintering grounds. Northern Pintail has a “strong tendency to pioneer over wide areas, responding opportunistically to available wetlands.” (BNA 163:1, 2, 20)
Local history
In spring the Pintail “ranks among the River ducks next to the Black Duck in abundance, at least in Monroe and Ontario counties,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He listed this as a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties. (Eaton I: 198, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, noted that this species had been “more reported late years than when we first saw them.” He indicated average counts of one to eight birds, with a maximum count of 48, on dates ranging from 19 September to 11 May.When Leo Tanghe examined outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester during 1951-1954, this species was reported 320 times, including six reports in July and early August, and seven in January and early February. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B) This put it ahead of Gadwall, Green-winged Teal and Shoveler among the dabblers.Pintails had increased “markedly” in the Northeast since the 1920s, Bull (1974) wrote. As recently as the 1960s and 1970s, they were “at times among our most numerous dabbling ducks and occur in very large concentrations in western New York.” (Bull, p. 117)By spring 1971, however, its numbers seemed “sadly reduced,” Richard O’Hara reported. (KB21: 149) The decline in numbers continued as drought conditions mentioned in Background above took their toll on this species.This species has since begun to recover on its breeding grounds, and it is regularly seen here during migration on fields and ponds, occasionally in large numbers. And, as noted, in the introduction, it was the most common dabbler tallied flying along Lake Ontario in fall during the Hamlin Beach lakewatch.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common to abundant spring and fall transient; an irregular, uncommon summer resident, and an occasional, rare winter visitant. There has been one breeding record.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular uncommon winter visitant, a regular fairly common (formerly abundant) spring transient, and a regular fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 17 February (1976, 1983) to 30 March, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 3 to 21 March. Subsequently, four on 11 February 1998 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach (GNR) were an earlier “first” of spring. Also early were two on 13 February 1984 (R. Dobson, mob) at Braddock Bay. (GNR) In most years had departed by 9 May, with a late departure date of 31 May. Note the early large counts at Groveland Flats in Livingston County. Fox writes that several DEC commissioners recognized the value of the flats and tried to obtain funds to set aside 2,000 acres. However, the plan was killed in 1976 in favor of farming. Much of the land has since been diked or drained, and I-390 was built through the area. Though waterfowl still congregate there, they do so in much smaller numbers. Counts of Northern Pintail, for example, had not exceeded 50 during the 15 years prior to 1998, Fox notes. (Fox, pp. 11, 30) Spring Maxima: 1,300 on 14 March 1990 (Nicoletti) Braddock Bay. (KB 40:178, GNR) 1,200 on 23 March 1980 (F. and R. Dobson) Kendall. (KB 30: 166) 1,400 on 23 March 2006 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin. (LG, May 2006) 1,300 on 24 March 1962 (T. Tetlow) Groveland Flats. (KB 12:34) 1,200 on 24 March 2004 (D. Tetlow) Braddock Bay. (KB 54:230, LGNR) 3,000 on 30 March 1963 (J. Foster, mob) Groveland Flats. (KB 13:105)
Summer/Breeding status: Breeding in New York State was not documented until 1945, and this species remains a rare and local breeder. (Andrle, p. 70) So it was all the more exciting when nesting was confirmed at Braddock Bay in 1993 when “Brett Ewald and Mike Davids reported the pair throughout the summer and observed young birds late in the season.” (KB 43:314) During the first BBA project, possible breeding was reported in two blocks in our region, but no evidence was reported during the second project. Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 28 August (1982) to 1 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 29 September to 18 October. Subsequently, one on 30 July 1996 (C. Cass) at Irondequoit Bay outlet was an even earlier “first” of the fall migration. (GNR) In most years had departed by 30 November, with a late departure date of 13 December.Lakewatchers pick up first arrivals in late August. (Eward and Sherony, p. 44) Thirteen on 23 August 1987 (C. Cass, Davids, Symonds) Hamlin Beach (KB 37:223, GNR) and 18 on 31 August 1971 (O’Hara) at Braddock Bay (GNR) were good early season tallies.They were the most numerous dabbling duck tallied during the Hamlin Beach lakewatch project, averaging 1,531 per season. Most were observed migrating past the park when barometric pressure was “rising or near peak.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 44)Since 1999, maxima recorded by fall lakewatchers at Hamlin Beach have ranged from 390 to 500, with two large tallies in 2005: 500 on 23 September and 475 on 25 October (KB 56:68)
Fall maxima: 1,085 on 11 September 1954 (Van Beurden, Listman, McKinney) migrating east along the lakeshore, “urged on by by strong NW winds.” (GOS, September-October 1954; KB4:103) 1,041 on 17 October 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB48: 48, GNR) 1,000 on 20 October 1960 (Listman) west lakeshore. (KB10: 179) 1,000+ on 24 October 1953 (Listman, Van Beurden), headed east along the lakeshore. (GOS, September/October 1953) 1,200 on 26 October 1958 (GOS hike, Listman) west lakeshore. (GNR) Winter: As Ewald and Sherony note, “winter presence is minimal” along the lake. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 44) However, they can be found on bays and inland lakes in small numbers. It was recorded in our region on 18 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 11 in 1997. Winter maxima: 16 from 20-28 December 2006 (Symonds, mob) at Hamlin Beach. (LG, February 2007) 30 on 27 December 2003 at Conesus Lake on the Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2004) 11 on 30 December 1984 (R. Dobson) Hamlin. (GNR) 10 on 13 January 2005 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (LG, March 2005) 8 on 14 January 1979 (A. and J. Foster) at Avon. (LG, February 1979) 5, 3 on 27 January 1974 (Listman/T.Tetlow) at Braddock and Sodus bays. (GOS, March 1974)
Green-winged Teal (American)
Anas crecca carolinensisGreen-winged Teal (American)
The appearance of a handsome male drake at Mendon Ponds in March 1949 prompted Edson’s comment that “often they stand on their heads in the water with their feet waving in the breezes to help maintain their balance as they pluck the plant food from the bottom. It certainly is a rather comical sight and sometimes a rather puzzling one to the beginner in bird study.” (WBR, 14 March 1949)Something also puzzling, and perhaps even ominous, is the abrupt decline of this species as a breeder in our local wetlands, after decades of steady increase. The Green-winged Teal appears to be joining the Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe and Common Moorhen, among others, in vacating our ponds and wetlands.Is there something happening to the habitat or, given similar declines in breeding Green-winged Teal elsewhere in western New York and even on Long Island, is this just a cyclic retraction of a species at the edge of its breeding range?
Background
North America’s smallest dabbling duck does not breed extensively in the prairie pothole region, instead seeking out the river deltas and forest wetlands of Alaska and Canada, “where it nests (on the ground) in dense cover, often in shrubs or sedges” next to ponds or marshes, notes Kevin Johnson in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. Though it is the second most abundant duck taken by hunters, its remote breeding areas – away from human disturbance – have allowed it to sustain and even increase its numbers. Estimated breeding population in North America in 1990 was slightly more than 3 million. Two subspecies, one in Eurasia and the other in the Aleutians, lack the male’s white vertical stripe. They were previously considered separate species. (BNA 193: 1-4, 14) Local history
Eaton (1910) indicated this was fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, also reported this only as a spring and fall migrant. He indicated average counts of one to two birds, with a maximum count of only three in spring and 8 in fall, on dates ranging from 24 March to 16 May, and from 19 September to 3 November.When Leo Tanghe analyzed outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester during 1951-1954, this species was reported 287 times – less often than any of the other dabblers except Shoveler and Gadwall. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B)Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) also reported it less common than Blue-winged Teal but “found in migration on many of our secluded steams and ponds.” (B&M, p. 129) By then, summer sightings were on the increase, and it was strongly suspected of breeding in our region. (See Summer/breeding status below.)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common to common spring and fall transient; a regular, uncommon summer resident; and an occasional, rare winter visitant. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular rare winter visitant, a regular uncommon spring transient, a casual rare summer visitant and an irregular uncommon fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 12 February (1951) to 16 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 6 March to 2 April. In most years migrants had departed by 31 May, with a late departure date of 8 June.A regular migrant, though not as common as some of our other duck species.
Spring maxima: 64 on 25 March 1988 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay. (GNR) 435 on 8 April 2007 (D. Tetlow) Parma to Carlton. (LG, June 2007) 60 on 10 April 1998 (Kimball) at the Geneseo Airfield. (Fox, p. 31) 125 on 15 April 1976 (Perrigo, Shea) at Braddock Bay. (LG, May 1976) 100 on 16 April 1965 (Listman) west lakeshore. (KB 15: 165) 175 on 20 April 2001 (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Galen Marsh. (KB 51:697, LGNR) 90 on 25 April 1954 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) west lakeshore. (GOS, March-April 1954)
Summer/breeding status: Eaton (1910) reported only two breeding records in New York State, the closest to our region being at the Montezuma marshes. (Eaton I: 193) However, this species gradually pushed its breeding range southeastward during the 1950s, probably because increasing populations – and increased competition for nest sites – pushed birds into new areas. In addition, refuges created here provided suitable nest sites. (Andrle, p. 62)This gradual expansion is reflected in local accounts: One at Rose’s Marsh on 27 July 1952 (Leubner) was considered “very unusual” and only the second July record – the other occurring the year before. (GOS, September/October 1952) Tanghe, in his 1953 listing of breeding birds in the Rochester area, considered this a rare nester, citing Montezuma as the closest breeding location. (GOS, May/August 1953) However, summer sightings continued: Two at Rose’s Marsh on 4 July 1953 (Van Beurden, Listman), then three there on 24 July 1954 (Rising), indicated “possible breeding” in that location, Beardslee and Mitchell noted. (B&M, p. 129, GNR)Howard Miller in 1963 reported it had “continued its increase as a summer resident and probably a breeding bird” in our area. (KB13: 209) Thirteen (mostly drakes) were at Braddock Bay on 28 June (Listman) the following year. (KB14: 221) And a “family or two” were at the Shore Acres pond south of the parkway in early August 1964. (BA, 13 August 1964) By 1968 it was nesting “occasionally in our area” (KB 18:203); by 1977 “increased breeding populations” were reported (KB 27:217), and “are now found in local marshes throughout the summer.” (LG, July 1977)The first BBA confirmed breeding in four blocks in our region and found evidence of breeding in 11 others. No doubt this weighed heavily in its description as a regular but uncommon summer resident in the Monroe County annotated list. (AL, p. 17) Three on 12 July 1988 at Kendall were “probably nesting.” (KB38: 262) However, in 1992, “recent Green-winged Teal nestings didn’t happen this year,” Kevin Griffith noted. (KB42: 237)
During the second BBA, evidence of breeding was sharply reduced, with only “possible” evidence of breeding found in three blocks.
Clearly, this remains a scattered, uncommon breeder, “typical of a species at the edge of its range.” (Andrle, p. 62) Similar declines were registered elsewhere in western New York and especially on Long Island. Summer maxima:13 on 28 June 1964 (Listman) at Braddock Bay. (KB 14:221)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 10 August to 1 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 29 August to 24 September. Subsequently, three on 2 August 2004 (Kimball) at the Geneseo Airfield were even earlier “first” of fall. (GNR) In most years had departed by 30 November, with a late departure date of 9 December.Observations during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project indicate this species begins migrating early, in late August or early September “and has a long period of passage.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 38) They were generally seen migrating along the lakeshore in small flocks of 3 to 10, but also mixed in with White-winged Scoters, scaup and various puddle ducks. Average count was 818 per season.
Fall maxima: 130 on 24 August 2003 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 53:346, GNR) 309 migrating on 21 September 1999 (Ewald) at Hamlin Beach. (KB50: 53, GNR) 254 on 28 September 2002 (D. Tetlow, Bounds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 53:49, GNR) 135 on 29 September 2007 (Andersen et al) Huron. (LG, November 2007) 100 on 13 October 1962 (Miller, T. Tetlow, Carlson) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) 268 migrating on 25 October 1998 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR, KB49: 48) 305 on 25 October 2007 (R. Spahn) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, December 2007) 150 on 27 October 1991 (Marcotte) Northrup Creek sanctuary. (Personal notes) 108 on 29 October 1995 (Hamlin Beach Lakewatch) Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 39) 159 on 23 November 1997 (Hamlin Beach Lakewatch) Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 39)
Winter: Lingers into early winter before ponds freeze, but is rare after that. One was found 19 January 1961 at the back of Russell Station, apparently taking advantage of the discharge of warm water. (BA, 2 February 1961)Recorded in our region on only 8 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 4 in 1985. However, there have been sightings, usually of single birds, in 16 of 23 winters from 1984-2006, including at least 23 records in January.
Winter maxima: 12 on 10 December 2001 (Debes) at Greece. (LG, February 2002) 4 on 5 January 1999 (Davids, D. Tetlow) at Caledonia. (KB49: 146, LGNR) 3 on 31 January 2003 (D. Tetlow) at the Caledonia Fish Hatchery. (LG, March 2003) 18 on 9 February 2003 (Griffith) on Lake Ontario off Greece was an “unprecedented” winter count. (KB 53: 140, 142).
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 10 August to 1 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 29 August to 24 September. Subsequently, three on 2 August 2004 (Kimball) at the Geneseo Airfield were even earlier “first” of fall. (GNR) In most years had departed by 30 November, with a late departure date of 9 December.Observations during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project indicate this species begins migrating early, in late August or early September “and has a long period of passage.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 38) They were generally seen migrating along the lakeshore in small flocks of 3 to 10, but also mixed in with White-winged Scoters, scaup and various puddle ducks. Average count was 818 per season.
Fall maxima: 130 on 24 August 2003 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 53:346, GNR) 309 migrating on 21 September 1999 (Ewald) at Hamlin Beach. (KB50: 53, GNR) 254 on 28 September 2002 (D. Tetlow, Bounds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 53:49, GNR) 135 on 29 September 2007 (Andersen et al) Huron. (LG, November 2007) 100 on 13 October 1962 (Miller, T. Tetlow, Carlson) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) 268 migrating on 25 October 1998 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR, KB49: 48) 305 on 25 October 2007 (R. Spahn) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, December 2007) 150 on 27 October 1991 (Marcotte) Northrup Creek sanctuary. (Personal notes) 108 on 29 October 1995 (Hamlin Beach Lakewatch) Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 39) 159 on 23 November 1997 (Hamlin Beach Lakewatch) Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 39)
Winter: Lingers into early winter before ponds freeze, but is rare after that. One was found 19 January 1961 at the back of Russell Station, apparently taking advantage of the discharge of warm water. (BA, 2 February 1961)Recorded in our region on only 8 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 4 in 1985. However, there have been sightings, usually of single birds, in 16 of 23 winters from 1984-2006, including at least 23 records in January.
Winter maxima: 12 on 10 December 2001 (Debes) at Greece. (LG, February 2002) 4 on 5 January 1999 (Davids, D. Tetlow) at Caledonia. (KB49: 146, LGNR) 3 on 31 January 2003 (D. Tetlow) at the Caledonia Fish Hatchery. (LG, March 2003) 18 on 9 February 2003 (Griffith) on Lake Ontario off Greece was an “unprecedented” winter count. (KB 53: 140, 142).
Common Teal (Eurasian)
Anas crecca creccaCommon Teal (Eurasian)
The “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal, or “Common” Teal subspecies, formerly (and still) considered a separate species by some authorities, is “reported annually from the marine portion” of New York, according to NYSARC, but is “very rare” elsewhere in the state. (KB 54:286). It was sighted five times from 1949 through 1960 in our area, according to Edson. (WBR, 17 April 1961) However, two of these sightings were at Montezuma, just outside the current Region 2 boundary, in 1953 and 1960. (GNR)
1.Western New York’s first record, a male 7-8 April 1949 (Chapin, Klonick, Taylor, Benson) at Ling Road. (B&M, p. 128)2. Two at Shore Acres 25 April 1954 (Listman, Van Beurden) during a joint field trip of the Genesee and Buffalo ornithological societies. (B&M, p. 128; GOS, March/April 1954) It appears that at least one of these birds lingered until 16 May. (KB 4:47; Monroe County annotated list)3. An adult male on 20 March 1955 (mob) that “disported itself on Braddock’s Bay” – Hamlin Beach SP according to the Goshawk and Beardslee and Mitchell – allowing close study by several observers. (GOS January/March 1955; WBR, 28 March 1955)4. A male 16-23 April 1967 (Kemnitzer, mob) in a flood field along Chase Road. (KB 17:157) 5. One on 17-18 April 2002 (Davids) in Hamlin, “first” since 1967. (KB 52:240-242) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 54:286)6. Singles 25 March and 8 April 2004 (D. Tetlow/T. Smart) at Braddock Bay, “likely the same bird.” (KB 54: 230)
Canvasback
Aythya valisineriaCanvasback
In profile, the “wedge-shaped head sloping upward from tip of long bill to back of crown” of this species, along with its “long, stout neck, with head erect,” are distinctive among waterfowl breeding in North America,” Thomas Mowbray observes. (BNA 659: 2)Maybe too distinctive. A lot of birders were convinced they were looking at an eider on Braddock Bay, Mike Davids recalls. That was back in the late 1980s, and it took awhile before people figured out it wasn’t an eider after all. It was an immature canvasback! Blame that “distinctive,” “ski-slope shaped” forehead.Canvasback has been called a “harbinger of winter, for it generally breeds in central and western Canada and visits New York only as a migrant or wintering bird.” (Andrle, p. 80)Even those visitors were once much less numerous. In the mid 1930s, for example, it was unusual to see even 100 at a time in western New York. (B&M, p. 137)
Background
This diver is one of the least abundant species of ducks in North America, in part because its nesting and feeding requirements “link it inextricably to deeper, more stable ponds, marshes and potholes,” notes Mowbray in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. When severe drought occurs at the center of its breeding range in the prairie parklands of southern Canada, this species either delays nesting or fails to do so at all. This makes this species especially vulnerable to drought conditions, and is one reason it is not as abundant as other pothole waterfowl species. It prefers the buds and rhizomes of wild celery during winter, and plant tubers, rhizomes and stalks of submerged vegetation at other times of the year. Since the 1960s, it has altered its traditional migration routes, changed its wintering sites and modified its diet in response to declining availability of plant tubers. Banding returns indicate that Canvasbacks nesting in central and eastern prairies of the northern U.S. and Canada migrate in a broad corridor southeast across the Dakotas and Minnesota to major staging areas on the upper Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis. From this point, there is a clear separation in migration routes, with one corridor extending eastward to the eastern Great Lakes and another southward down the Mississippi Valley. Movements eastward follow a migration corridor to secondary staging areas in the Great Lakes region, including the upper Niagara River and Finger Lakes of New York. Some may remain on open water in this region, but most continue southeastwards across the Appalachians to the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. Wintering birds have declined significantly on Chesapeake Bay with decline in tuberous plants, shifting instead to Virginia and North Carolina. Population in 2001 estimated at about 580,000; since 1955 continental populations have shown considerable fluctuation due to changes in moisture levels. (BNA 659: 1-2, 5, 12, 26)
Local history
Eaton (1910) considered this “probably the most famous of all wild fowl for the excellence of its flesh,” but only if it had been well fed on wild celery. It has clearly increased in numbers here since his time. He described this as a rare (Livingston County) to irregular (Wayne County) to uncommon (Monroe County) migrant, and an uncommon winter visitor in Monroe. (Eaton I: 205, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, reported that not more than three at a time had been seen since 1921, after previous maxima of 30 to 100. As noted above, in the mid 1930s it was “unusual to see over a hundred at any time” anywhere in western New York, Beardslee and Mitchell wrote. (B&M, p. 137)These were the years when drought ravaged the Great Plains, and severely reduced the populations of several prairie pothole species.Its numbers began increasing here in the late 1940s, often in association with Redhead and scaup. 300 on 13 November 1948 (Kemnitzers) were along the lakeshore. (GOS, November-December 1948) 700 to 800 on 4-18 December 1949 (Wolf) were at Conesus Lake (GOS, November-December 1949), then 1,000 were there (N. Moon) on 23 November 1952. (GOS, November-December 1952) When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, this was still among the diving ducks least often reported, with 236 sightings, about half of them in March and April when average counts of 10 to 20 were seen. Higher average counts of up to 100-200 were found in late December and early February. It is likely some, perhaps many of these sightings, were at Oak Orchard and Montezuma, now just outside Region 2. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B)By the mid 1960s, Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) wrote that “the increase in the number of Canvasbacks has been phenomenal” and that “large compact flocks” of this species exceeded even Common Goldeneye as a wintering bird in western New York “in most recent years.” (B&M, pp. 137, 140) This is now a regular winter visitor, commonly found on inland lakes, especially Conesus, and a sometimes abundant spring migrant, with especially good tallies at Braddock and Sodus bays.
Status Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common spring and fall transient; a casual, very rare summer visitant, and an irregular, fairly common winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular very common to uncommon winter visitant, a (presumably regular) common to very common spring transient and a regular common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 16 February to 9 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 25 February to 24 March. In most years had departed by 18 May, with a late departure date of 31 May.Sodus and Braddock bays have been good concentration points for spring migrants.
Spring maxima: 1,200 on 11 March 1988 (Nicoletti) Braddock Bay. (GOS, May 1988) 1,500 on 15 March 1981 (GOS trip) at Sodus Bay. (GNR) 4,000 on 15 March 1987 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May 1987) 2,400 on 21 March 1988 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May 1988) 2,500 on 22 March 1988 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, May 1988) 1,000 on 27 March 1978 (M. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay – the day before 800 (C. Taylor) were tallied at Braddock Bay. (LGNR) 1,000 on 8 April 1979 (RBA trip) at Sodus Bay. (LGNR)
Summer: Very rare in summer. One on 4 July 1953 (Schaefer, Listman) was at Summerville. (GOS, September/October 1953) Two on 24 July 1970 (O’Hara) were at Braddock Bay. (GNR) Another on 12 July 1988 (O’Hara, McKinney) was at Kendall. (GNR) And one on 20 June 2002 (P. and J. Spindler) was at Irondequoit Bay. (GNR)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 18 September to 9 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 14 to 30 October. In most years had departed by 18 December, with a late departure date of 25 December.During the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, these tended to arrive earlier in fall than Redhead and were not particularly numerous, averaging only about 262 per season. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 52)Higher numbers are usually encountered on inland lakes, especially at Conesus Lake.
Fall maxima: 600 on 16 November 1975 (J. and W. Listman) Conesus Lake. (LG, December 1975) 700 on 18 November 1954 (Van Beurden) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 1,000 on 23 November 1952 (N. Moon) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 1,500 on 30 November 1980 (RBA trip) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 31) 1,500 on 12 December 1976 (RBA trip) at Conesus Lake. (LG, January 1977)
Winter: “A few may remain on Lake Ontario all winter,” Horsey and Edson noted in 1931, “but the majority of those passing the winter in Western New York will be found on Seneca and Cayuga lakes, where they can find aquatic vegetation, on which they mainly depend for food, in more abundance” – especially wild celery. (“Canvasback and Scaup Ducks Return to Neighboring Lakes,” D&C, 21 December 1931)This is still the case. These birds will linger late into winter on Conesus Lake, until it begins to freeze over, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 31) Wild celery at the north end of the lake attracts this species, he adds. The lake did not freeze over during the winter of 1997-98, and at least 150 spent the entire season there.
Winter maxima: 450 on 28 December 1954 (Van Beurden) at Conesus Lake. (GOS, November-December 1954) 900 on 28 December 1975 (mob) at Conesus Lake. (LG, January 1976) 455 on 2 January 1966 on Little Lakes CBC. (GOS, March 1966) 761 on 15 January 1967 (Templeton) Conesus Lake. (GOS, March 1967) 600 on 15 January 1998 (D. Tetlow) Sodus Bay. (LG, March 1998) 650 on 13 February 1956 (Jones) at Sodus Bay. (GOS, January-June 1956)
Less numerous after inland lakes have frozen. During the first 10 years of the January Waterfowl Count, from 1955 to 1964, average count in Region 2 was 142.1, with tallies ranging from 3 in 1961 to 830 in 1957. However, tallies in Region 2 have never exceeded 466 for the period 1975-2004, and averaged 91.9.
Redhead
Aythya AmericanaRedhead
“Three redhead ducks reported by Mary Ann Sunderlin on June 25 at the outlet of Irondequoit Bay causes wonder,” William Edson noted in 1959. (WBR, 29 June 1959) Had they somehow “missed the boat” and failed to move north with their fellows? Edson strongly suspected another reason: They were among the wing-clipped birds released that April by the state Conservation Department in the Braddock Bay marshes. The hope was to establish a breeding colony here that would “start a generation of redhead ducks that would appreciate the superior advantages of our climate and feeding conditions. We hope that they and their descendants will return to nest here year after year and generation after generation.”That hasn’t happened here, though releases have apparently been successful in other parts of the Northeast. Nonetheless, this species is much more common now as a migrant and as a winter visitor than it used to be. Conesus Lake, in particular, now attracts winter flocks that would have astounded Edson.
Background
The large rafts that winter on Lake Ontario are miniscule compared to the hundreds of thousands that traditionally gather at Laguna Madre in Texas and the Laguna Madre of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Breeding occurs primarily in the Prairie Pothole region and in marshes of the western U.S., but also in Alaska, in areas near the Great Lakes, and even in sections of Mexico. Moreso than in any other North American duck, females of this species are prone to “dump” their eggs in another female’s nest of the same or another species, or in a community nest. “This wide-ranging species exhibits a high degree of flexibility in habitat and food use, and reproductive behavior, yet, paradoxically, its numbers consistently are surpassed by populations of most other prairie-nesting ducks of North America,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. During the 1930s, the Redhead’s primary breeding area in central and western North America “was hard hit by severe drought,” Mark Gretch notes. (Andrle, p. 82) It expanded its range into Alaska in the 1950s and 1960s, apparently in response to the drought, and breeding has increased in the Northeast, primarily because of the release of hand-reared birds. Though populations have remained relatively stable when averaged over the long-term, counts have ranged from 323,000 to 1,005,000 in various years. (BNA 695: 1-2, 4, 25)
Local history
“It is a fine duck for the table when in good condition, and after feeding on wild celery for some time it is not second even to the Canvasback,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He considered this a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, but gave no indication of occurrence in Livingston. (Eaton I: 203, county charts) Until about 1920, Edson observed, “considerable numbers” of Redheads spent the winter on Lake Ontario. (WBR, 11 December 1939) However, “too much hunting, combined with the many dry seasons” that dried up this species’ nesting grounds in central and western North America, had brought it “much too close to extinction for comfort.” Indeed, R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, reported the “last large flock in 1925, uncommon since.” His list indicated average counts of one to three birds with a maximum of 150 (presumably 1925 or before) on dates ranging from 12 October to 16 May.From 1927 to 1947, this species was reported on only five Rochester Christmas Bird Counts, and never more than one or two birds tallied. (O’Hara, p. 43) So 250 to 300 at Mendon Ponds on 7-13 November 1948 (Raetz) were particularly noteworthy. (GOS, November-December, 1948)Nonetheless, when Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings from 1,665 GOS field trips during 1951-1954, he found Redheads reported 328 times, primarily October through mid-April, with the highest average count being 30 to 50 in early February. No doubt this included sightings at Oak Orchard and Montezuma, just outside current Region 2 boundaries. (KB 5: 69: 1A-1B) Between 1952 and 1963 the state Conservation Department (now DEC) released ducklings and adult birds at 10 refuges and waterfowl preserves in New York in an effort “to increase the species diversity in the state’s wetlands and provide additional hunting opportunity,” notes Mark Gretch. (Andrle, p. 82)That included a release of clipped birds at Braddock Bay in April 1959, Edson reported. (WBR, 29 June 1959) They did not become established at Braddock Bay, and statewide “the attempt was not very successful,” Gretch wrote in the mid 1980s, when only a “few remnant populations” could be found. (Andrle, p. 82)However, it has greatly increased here as a migrant and especially as a winter visitor on area ponds and lakes.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common spring transient; an occasional, very rare summer visitant; an irregular, common fall transient, and an irregular, fairly common winter visitant. Now regular in winter.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common to abundant winter visitant, a (presumably regular) common to abundant spring transient, and a regular common to very common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 February to 1 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 22 February to 21 March. In most years had departed by 18 May, with a late departure date of 24 May.
Spring maxima: 2,030 on 21 February 1998 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 800 on 24 February 1963 (Chamberlain) at Sodus Bay. (GNR) 1,200 on 15 March 1981 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) Sodus Bay. (KB31: 163) 800 on 17 March 1961 (Peakall) Sodus Bay. (KB11: 45) 1,500 on 17 March 1963 (Chamberlain) Sodus Bay. (GOS, May 1963) 1,200-1,600 in March 1997 (K. and J. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB47:201, LGNR)
Summer: Though confirmed breeding at Montezuma NWR and the Iroquois/Tonawanda/Oak Orchard complex just outside our region, this species is very rare here in summer. Two on 15 July 1950 (Dolan, O’Hara) were at the Ling Road marsh (GOS, June/August 1950). Tanghe found one sighting from July and six from August when he examined GOS field trip results during 1951-1954. Given the relatively large counts, averaging as many as 20 birds, this may have reflected Redheads that had been released by the state. More recently, one on 25-28 July 1989 (C. Cass, O’Hara) was at the Irondequoit Bay outlet. (GNR)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 31 August to 14 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 September to 8 October. Subsequently, three on 3 August 2004 (Symonds) on Hamlin Beach were even earlier “first of fall” arrivals. (GNR) though LG suggested they might also have been “summering.” Also earlier, one on 23 August 1984 (Griffith et al) at Hamlin Beach, listed as a “first record for the fall migration” (GNR) as were five on the same date in 1988 (Reinhardt, C. Cass) at Irondequoit Bay. (GNR) That was a good tally for August, as were four were at Braddock Bay (F. and R. Dobson) on 17 August 1975. (GNR) In most years had departed by 30 November, with a late departure date of 15 December. However, quite a different pattern was noted at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, where Redheads were the “latest annual migrants,” with peak occurrences expected to occur from mid December to mid January. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 54)Most were flying by in flocks of 20 to 50 birds, headed west, and often occurring in small numbers mixed with Greater Scaup.
Fall maxima: 1,178 on 28 Nov 1998 (Albanese) Hamlin Beach SP. (GOS, January 1999) Winter: During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 33 percent of the days. His maximum count was 1,350 on 18 January 1997. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)Winter rafts tend to park themselves in one place for days at a time, so an observer looking off the end of Dewey Avenue in Greece, for example, or off the bluffs at Summerville, might find these birds during a much higher percentage of days.Perhaps the best place to observe these ducks is at Conesus Lake, where “this species lingers in winter even on the smallest spot of open water and returns as soon as there is space for a duck,” Fox notes. (Fox, p. 31) “If Conesus Lake did not freeze, it is suspected that they would linger all winter (as they did in the winter of 1997-1998).”
The January Waterfowl Count has shown a steady increase in this species in Region 2. During the first ten years, 1955-1964, the average count was only 37.4, with a peak tally of 133 in 1958. However Redhead was the fifth most numerous waterfowl tallied in Region 2 on the count from 1975-2004, averaging 1004.6 per year, and increasing dramatically during the last decade of that period.
Subsequent JWC tallies show the increase continues: 3,853 in 2005, 6,427 in 2006 and 4,018 in 2007.
Winter maxima: 5,352 on 29 December 2007 Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 4,000 “in flight” on 1 January 2003 (D. Tetlow) Conesus Lake. (KB 53:142) 5,374 on 2 January 2005 (Little Lakes CBC) Conesus Lake. (KB 55: 171) 4,000 on 11-17 January 2007 (R. Spahn) off Irondequoit. (LG, March 2007) 7,000 on 13 January 2002 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Conesus Lake. (KB52: 152, LGNR) 4,174 on 16 January 2000 (Hartenstein, Olson) Conesus Lake. (KB 50:160, GNR) 5,550 on 16 January 2006 (T. and P. Smith) Conesus Lake. (LG, March 2006) 3,500 max. on 25 January 1998 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 8,000 on 29 January 1998 (D. and D. Traver) Conesus Lake. (KB 48:143, LGNR) Max. 3,000 on 30 January 1998 (D. and D. Traver) Sodus Bay. (LG, March 1998) 3,400 on 20 February 1999 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB49: 146, GNR)
Winter maxima: 5,352 on 29 December 2007 Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 4,000 “in flight” on 1 January 2003 (D. Tetlow) Conesus Lake. (KB 53:142) 5,374 on 2 January 2005 (Little Lakes CBC) Conesus Lake. (KB 55: 171) 4,000 on 11-17 January 2007 (R. Spahn) off Irondequoit. (LG, March 2007) 7,000 on 13 January 2002 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Conesus Lake. (KB52: 152, LGNR) 4,174 on 16 January 2000 (Hartenstein, Olson) Conesus Lake. (KB 50:160, GNR) 5,550 on 16 January 2006 (T. and P. Smith) Conesus Lake. (LG, March 2006) 3,500 max. on 25 January 1998 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 8,000 on 29 January 1998 (D. and D. Traver) Conesus Lake. (KB 48:143, LGNR) Max. 3,000 on 30 January 1998 (D. and D. Traver) Sodus Bay. (LG, March 1998) 3,400 on 20 February 1999 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB49: 146, GNR)
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collarisRing-necked Duck
This birder had always considered Ring-necked Duck one of his favorite waterfowl because of the male’s distinctive attire – the unmistakable white slash on the side, the peaked crown, the intricate markings on the bill. What he had not realized was just how useful those field marks could be. He found out when several of these ducks were sprinkled amid a wintering raft of Redhead and scaup off the end of Delta Terrace, just east of the Summerville Pier, in January 2007. Counting all these birds for the annual Federation Waterfowl Count was problematic, to say the least. Stiff winds on the 13th produced three- to four-foot waves. It was almost impossible to tally the thousands of ducks when two-thirds of the birds were hidden in the troughs at any given moment. However, those distinctive white slash marks made it relatively easy to pick out two male Ring-necks at the edge of the raft. The next day, the winds had lessened. Now, however, the ducks were strung out all along the lake parallel to Rock Beach Drive. Seventeen male Ring-necks could be seen in one small piece of the raft directly off the terrace. But how to get at the rest? The birder drove east, finding a large enough gap where he could look out between the houses, discreetly staying in his car, scope propped on his window. Again, an accurate tally was difficult: birds bobbing, many facing north away from the birder. But again, those white slash marks and peaked crowns were easily discernible. A first scan produced 13; a second, slower look revealed 22. Thirty-nine Ring-necked Ducks in all, and those were just the males…. Not bad for the middle of winter – even an admittedly mild one!
Background
This misnamed diving bird – the ring on the bill is much easier to see – “reaches its greatest density in the boreal forests of western Canada . . .” John M. C. Peterson has written. (Andrle, p. 84) The white bill markings and angular head profile are distinctive in this diving duck, which nests in marshes, fens and bogs across much of subarctic Canada and in parts of the Northeastern U.S., Great Lakes, northern Plains states and Rocky Mountains. It expanded its breeding range east of the Great Lakes beginning in the 1920s and westward into Alaska during the 1980s. Not only its range but its population increased during the 1980s and early 1990s – at a time when many other duck species were in decline. Generalized diet of plants and invertebrates may help it colonize new areas. Populations appear to be stable or increasing. (BNA 329: 1-2, 4-5)
Local history
“It . . . appears during the spring migration on the ponds and bays near Rochester, but is rarely noticed in the fall,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He listed this as an uncommon transient in Monroe County, and only occasional in Wayne, with no indication of occurrence in Livingston. (Eaton I: 208, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated that the “last large flock of 500 was reported in 1915.” He indicated average counts of one to four birds, with a maximum count of 125, on dates ranging from 22 October to 19 April.When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, he found 275 records of Ring-necked Duck, making it one of the least reported of the diving ducks, trailing all but Canvasback, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck and the scoters. And nearly two thirds of the sightings were late March through April when average counts were 20 to 30 birds. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B)However, by 1961, it had “become increasingly common in recent years, especially as a spring migrant,” Howard Miller noted after 75 were tallied along the west lakeshore. (KB11: 45) One hundred on 28 March 1964 (Listman) along the lakeshore (KB14: 98); 150 on 8 April 1966 (Foster, Kemnitzer, Listman) at Sodus Bay (KB16: 158); and 175 on 28 March 1971 (Perrigo) at Groveland (KB21: 77) further solidified that claim. “This duck is one of the few which appear to be more common than formerly,” Beardslee and Mitchell wrote in 1965. (B&M, p. 136) There had been a “recent great increase” in the Northeast, John Bull (1974) added. (Bull, p. 139) Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common spring transient; a casual, very rare summer visitant; a regular, fairly common fall transient, and an irregular, rare winter visitant. However, it has been increasing as a winter visitor since 1992. Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular uncommon to fairly common winter visitant, a (presumably regular) common to very common spring transient and a regular fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 28 February (1981) to 18 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 11 to 28 March. Subsequently, one on 14 February 1988 (Griffith) at Greece was an even earlier “first” of the spring migration (GNR). In most years had departed by 10 May, with a late departure date of 22 June. Spring remains the season of peak occurrence. During this season, “they are widespread and can be found on a number of smaller ponds or flooded farm fields” in Livingston County, Fox noted. (Fox, p. 31) Fifty on 18 February 1984 (F. Dobson, Clarridge) at the Savannah flats was a good early season tally. (GNR)
Spring maxima: 1,200 on 13 March 2006 (Symonds) at Braddock Bay. (LG, May 2006) 675-1,000+ on 17-20 March 1990 (F. Dobson, R. Spahn, Griffith) along the west lakeshore. (GOS, May 1990) 360 and 450 on 23 March 1991 (Marcotte, Griffith) at Round Pond and west lakeshore. (GNR) 800 on 28-29 March 1997 (K. Fox) at Conesus Lake. (KB47: 201, LGNR) 630 on 29 or 30 March 1992 (C. Cass, mob) west lakeshore. (LG, April 1992; KB42:162) Summer: Breeding in New York State during the first BBA was limited primarily to bog ponds and sedge meadows in the Adirondacks and other North Country sites. However, summer stragglers occasionally are found in our region. One on 13 July 1971 (Perrigo) was at Mendon Ponds (KB21: 220), another on 21 July 1974 (Listman) was at Kendall (KB24: 189), others on 3 July 1982 (F. Dobson) and 30 July 1985 (Griffith) were at Greece. (KB32: 272, 35: 265, GNR) One lingered 7 June –31 July 1986 (D. and M. Tetlow) at Perinton. (KB36: 218, LGNR) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 12 September (1982) to 26 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 3 to 16 October. Subsequently, two on 11 August 2006 (Griffith) at Hamlin Beach were reported as “first of fall,” for a new record early date. (LG, October 2006) Also early “first of fall”: one on 1 September 2004 (Sherony) at Braddock Bay. (KB 55: 50, GNR) In most years had departed by 5 December, with a late departure date of 18 December. However, see winter records below.The average count at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch for an entire season was only about 108, with maximum daily counts ranging only from 10 to 49. “Often seen in flocks of Greater Scaup.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 56-57) Best fall counts are on inland lakes.
Fall maxima: 574 on 15 November 1997 (K. Fox) at Honeoye and Conesus lakes. (KB48: 48, LGNR) 400 max. on 20 November 1999 (K. Fox) at Honeoye Lake. (KB 50:53, LGNR) 321 on 16 December 2006 during Letchworth/Silver Lake CBC. (LG, February 2007) Winter: Recent years have seen an increase in wintering birds, beyond the “irregular, rare” status according this species in 1985. This has been well documented, for example, on the January Waterfowl Count. During the first 13 years, from 1955 to 1967, Ring-necked duck was reported from Region 2 during only four of the counts, and never more than three birds. More recently, recorded in our region on 25 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, with numbers increasingly markedly since 1992. Average JWC tally before that year was 1.76; from 1992 on it was 28.3. The largest counts were 64 in 2002, then 164 in 2007.
Winter maxima: 112 on 19 December 1997 (K. Fox) at Conesus Lake. (KB 48:143, GNR) 219 on 26 December 1999 (S. Daniel et al) at Honeoye Lake. (KB 50:160, GNR) 326 on 27 December 1998 (mob) Little Lakes CBC. (GNR) 313 on 29 December 2007 Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 120 on 3 January 1999 (K. Fox) at Conesus Lake. (GOS, April 1999) 125 on 11, 13 January 2007 (Griffith, Davids) Braddock Bay. (LG, March 2007) Misc.One banded in late fall near Rochester was recovered the following March in the southern Bahamas, Bull (1974) noted. (Bull, p. 139)
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaTufted Duck
Mike Davids scanned the Genesee River just north of the Stutson Street bridge on 24 December 1995, didn’t see much and turned to leave. “Then, just out of the corner of my eye, I see this duck come out from under a dock. It had been sitting under that dock. It’s just amazing it picked that moment to come out. If it had waited another five seconds, I wouldn’t have seen it.” Instead, Rochester birders had a wonderful Christmas present – the region’s first Tufted Duck, a male that lingered into the following March, providing ample opportunity for observation. (KB 46:147) And Davids had a nice present as well. He found the bird on his 52nd birthday.
Background
This is a sociable duck of freshwater lakes, nesting across northern Europe, Russia and Asia next to water in concealing vegetation, often amid colonies of marsh gulls, note Madge and Burn in Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World. “Generally wary, but becomes remarkably confiding on park lakes.” Regularly reported from Alaskan islands and annually in western North America south to California, “very rarely inland and on Atlantic seaboard.” It is abundant and widespread within its range. (Madge and Burn, pp. 255-256) “The Tufted Duck population has expanded greatly in western Europe, and migrants, probably from Iceland, are beginning to winter in eastern North America with greater regularity,” NYSARC noted in 2002. (KB52: 305) There is a possibility some sightings may be escaped captive birds. Indeed, John Bull contended in 1974 that “it is virtually impossible to be certain whether New York State occurrences of this species are genuine wild birds that wandered from Europe or escapes from confinement. The Tufted Duck is common in captivity and, at least in two instances, a male and a female were known to have escaped.” (Bull, p. 139)
Status
Irregular, very rare visitant.
Occurrence
1. Mike Davids’ bird from 24 December 1995 to 29 March 1996 at Charlotte, Russell Station and Braddock Bay. (KB 46: 147, 233) Accepted by NYSARC. (KB 48: 303) 2. A female on 24 December 1996 (R. Spahn) off Irondequoit (GNR) was not accepted by NYSARC. (KB 49:119) 3. A male on 3 January 1997 (D. and D. Traver) on Lake Ontario, Parma (LGNR) was not accepted by NYSARC. (KB 50:22) 4. A male on 7 April 2002 (J. Boettcher, N. Platt) at Braddock Bay. (GNR) Apparently not submitted to NYSARC. 5. Another “very cooperative” male found 11 January 2004 (M. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay stayed through the middle of February (KB 54:147), then relocated to Fair Haven. (LG, April 2004) 6. A male on 6 April 2005 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (KB 55:270, LG, June 2005)
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaGreater Scaup
When this species made the National Audubon Society’s list of the top 20 “Common Birds in Decline” in 2007, many local birders may have been surprised, to say the least. This species has been in anything but a decline in recent years along our lakefront. It was the second most common waterfowl species observed during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project from 1993 to 1999. Rochester CBC tallies have skyrocketed. January Waterfowl Count numbers have also shown a dramatic increase. Clearly, what happens in one region may not be representative of what is happening over an entire continent. (The Audubon Society estimates a population decline from 2 million to only 506,000 during the last 40 years.) So what’s the explanation? The invasion of non-native zebra and quagga mussels on the Great Lakes has created a new food source for migrating and wintering scaup, so that more and more of the fewer Great Scaup that remain are lingering here. Ironically, the very thing that has brought increased numbers here may also be contributing to their overall decline. The “remarkably efficient filter-feeding habits of zebra mussels give them a high capacity for storing environmental contaminants,” notes Scott Petrie of the Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund. The biggest concern is their intake of selenium, which accumulates in the mussels, and has been shown to impair reproductive success in other duck species, such as Mallard. It’s still just a theory, but it is “plausible that consumption of large quantities of zebra mussels on the lower Great Lakes may be contributing to the continental scaup decline,” Petrie notes. (Petrie, pp. 9-10) It’s ironic, to say the least, when an increase in a native bird species here becomes a matter of concern rather than celebration.
Background
Richard O’Hara encountered this species as an eager young birder of 14, when he saw about 100 on the river 2 January 1938 at Charlotte. “The ducks were riding low in the water and were very hard to identify with my low power glass . . . The rapid diving and length of time the ducks stayed under surprised me. I need a telescope and must get one soon!” (O’Hara birding diary) Carefully distinguishing Greater from Lesser Scaup remains one of those first rites of passage for beginning birders. They certainly have ample opportunities. Huge rafts of Greater Scaup on Lake Ontario numbering in the thousands are now a common sight during fall and winter.This diving duck, which also breeds in Europe and Asia, nests primarily in the coastal tundra of western Alaska, but also at isolated locations across central Canada, along the west shore of Hudson Bay and eastward into the Maritime provinces. Most migrate southeastward, using the Great Lakes as an important stopover en route to primary wintering areas on shallow embayments along the northeast Atlantic Coast, especially in Long Island Sound. Smaller numbers winter farther south along the Atlantic Coast and along the Pacific Coast. Up to 80 percent of the population concentrates in winter in the urbanized northern portion of the Atlantic Flyway – where these ducks are subject to “physical disturbances, habitat degradation and various contaminants,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. “Apparent long-term decline of Greater Scaup wintering in this core region has raised concerns about the welfare of the species…” Mild winters, heated water-discharge sites and availability of zebra mussels in the eastern Great Lakes “have enabled more overwintering at these interior sites, especially Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, since the mid-1980s.” (Note possible danger in this above.) Difficulty in correctly identifying this species from almost identical Lesser Scaup compounds the problem of accurately determining population trends of each to set hunting limits and develop management strategies. “In both summer and winter, Greater Scaup are usually closely associated with marine and brackish habitats and occur in relatively limited geographic areas; in contrast, Lesser Scaup have a much more extensive nesting distribution, winter farther south, and are more widely distributed.” (BNA 650: 1-2, 4-5) Local history
Eaton (1910) recorded this as common in migration in Monroe and Wayne counties, and uncommon in winter in Monroe. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated there had been maximum counts of up to 3,000 early in the century, but “after 1918 no larger number than 400 in 1925 and 250 in 1926 were noted.” He gave a range of dates from 2 October through 16 June, with one late summer record on 8 August 1933. When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, this was among the diving ducks most often reported, with 539 sightings. Average tallies in winter were 200 to 300 birds. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B)A total of 1,165 on 1 November 1958 (Starling) were counted in a flock off Durand (KB8:115); 4,000 on 16 November 1969 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) were off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) A total of 2,810 on 19 January 1969 (mob) on the Genesee River was “our highest wintering count,” Howard S. Miller noted. (KB 19:102) Much higher tallies have been recorded since, for reasons cited in background above.Flocks of 2,000 to 5,000 along the lake brought this word of caution in the November 1982 field notes in the Little Gull: “What is less clear is to what extent these are flocks of mixed Greater and Lesser Scaup. With the almost continuous diving and milling about, and observation sometimes hampered by waves, rain, and snow, as well as distance, an unequivocal estimate may be impossible. Reports submitted by RBAers this month ranged from 100 percent Greater Scaup to 50 percent Greater and 50 percent Lesser, to 100 percent Greater/Lesser.” (LG, December 1982)“Unlike the Lesser Scaup, it is not partial to the smaller bodies of water during migration,” Beardslee and Mitchell noted. (B&M, p. 138)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, abundant winter visitant and an occasional, very rare summer visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common winter visitant and a (presumably regular) common spring and fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 29 August to 19 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 1 to 20 October. Subsequently, one on 6 August 1994 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach was a record early “first” of the fall migration. (GNR) One on 15 August 1996 (Ewald) at Hamlin Beach was also an early “first” of fall. (GNR) Nine were there nine days later (K. and J. Fox) for a good early season tally. This was the second most numerous species tallied at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, where the average fall count was 54,900 and maximum daily counts ranged from 2,766 to 10,543. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 58-59) Following the general pattern of other diving ducks, peak numbers occurred two days after passage of a cold front, usually in large flocks flying west. 4,000 were spotted headed west on 27 October 1979 (Kemnitzer et al) at Hamlin Beach SP, about an hour after 2,000 were tallied headed west by T. Tetlow in just 15 minutes at Sodus Bay. (KB30: 32, GNR)
Fall maxima: During the 1960s and 1970s, maxima of 4,000 to 5,000 were reported. 4,000+ on 28 October 1981 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP, tallied in five hours. (KB 32: 40) 5,000 on 7 November 1974 (Kemnitzer) at Irondequoit Bay Outlet. (KB25: 35) 4,676 on 10 November 1994 (C. Cass) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, December 1994) 4,500 on 18 November 1993 (C. Cass) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 6,000+ on 23 November 1996 (R. and C. Spahn) off Braddock Bay. (KB 47:39, GNR) 10,543 on 28 November 1998 (Albanese) Hamlin Beach. (GNR)
Winter: These ducks continue to be abundant into January and February, gathering in large rafts. During the 7-year period of the lakewatch, for example, Bill Symonds spent 161 days extending the count into the period 1 Jan to 15 March. Greater Scaup were observed on 90 percent of those days, with an average count of 243 a day. His maximum count was 10,000 on 2 January 1995. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) Data from the lakewatch “implies that the species is always transient,” Ewald and Sherony concluded. “They never form a truly stationary winter presence. They migrate to the area of Hamlin Beach in high numbers beginning in early fall, but continue to leave to the west throughout the winter. . . . It is possible that the majority continue to move west and leave the lake at the west end, possibly continuing on to Lake Erie.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 58)
Winter maxima: 7,750 on 3 December 1982 (Griffith) west lakeshore. (GNR) 11,388 on 7 December 1995 (C. Cass, Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 46: 149, GNR) 23,737 on 15 December 2002 (mob) Rochester CBC when a “coast guard cutter out of Rochester flushed birds from well off shore and doubled the size of the big raft off Irondequoit.” (notes to December 2002 noteworthies in the Goshawk) Max. 10,320 on 18 December 1994 (Symonds) off Greece, part of 12,492 on the Rochester CBC. (GNR) 20,000 max. on 21 December 1996 (mob) off Greece. (GOS, February 1997) 16,162 on 21 December 1997 Rochester CBC, of which 15,000 were off Greece (R. Spahn, McGraw). (GOS, February, March 1998) 25,000+ on 1 January 1995 (R. and S. Spahn) off Greece. (GOS, March 1995) 10,000 on 2 January 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (LG, February 1995) 18,000 on 8 January 2006 (Davids, D. Tetlow) off Kendall. (LG, March 2006) 6,500 on 24 February 2002 (D. Tetlow, Symonds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 52:152, GNR)
Greater Scaup are more likely to be found in winter on Lake Ontario than Lesser Scaup; indeed, within 20 years it went from nonexistence to the second most common species on Region 2 January Waterfowl Counts, averaging 3,345.3 from 1975 to 2004. That included counts of 12,773 in 1992, 12,636 in 1993 and 13,410 in 1995, though tallies had dropped off significantly the last three years of that period.
Subsequent JWC tallies show a continuing reduction in numbers: 1,274 in 2005, 2,330 in 2006 and 1,730 in 2006.
It is also a common migrant and winter visitor at Conesus Lake (Fox, p. 32).
Spring: In most years had departed by 18 May with a late departure date of 30 May, according to the Monroe County annotated list (1985). “They do not form a buildup in spring as do other species,” Ewald and Sherony note in their analysis of data from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 58) However, 60+ were off Troutsburg (R. and S. Spahn) on 24 May 1997 GNR).
Summer: Never documented breeding here. However there are at least seven June records since 1989. July records include: One on 2 July 1955 (McKinney) at the Ling Road marshes (GOS, April-December 1955); one on 22, 27 July 1991 (Griffith) at Charlotte (GNR); one on 10 July 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP (GNR) and one on 16 July 2002 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR)
It is also a common migrant and winter visitor at Conesus Lake (Fox, p. 32).
Spring: In most years had departed by 18 May with a late departure date of 30 May, according to the Monroe County annotated list (1985). “They do not form a buildup in spring as do other species,” Ewald and Sherony note in their analysis of data from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 58) However, 60+ were off Troutsburg (R. and S. Spahn) on 24 May 1997 GNR).
Summer: Never documented breeding here. However there are at least seven June records since 1989. July records include: One on 2 July 1955 (McKinney) at the Ling Road marshes (GOS, April-December 1955); one on 22, 27 July 1991 (Griffith) at Charlotte (GNR); one on 10 July 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP (GNR) and one on 16 July 2002 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR)
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis When the temperature suddenly plummeted to near zero the night before the 1956 Rochester CBC, lakeside ponds suddenly froze up. While participating in the count the next day, Tom Barry “spotted a head sticking out of a mound in the ice” on Buck Pond near the Crescent Beach Hotel. It was a Lesser Scaup, literally encased from the neck down in thick ice. Barry, a Cornell graduate student in ornithology, got a screw driver from his car, picked out the cake of ice containing the bird, took it home and put it under the kitchen water tap, John Brown related. (BA, 3 January 1957) “The bird emerged, apparently not seriously harmed, and is now believed to be disporting itself in a special tank for diving ducks at the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology.”Lesser Scaup
Background
This is one of the most abundant and widespread of North American ducks, breeding primarily in boreal forests and parklands from central Alaska through Manitoba, nesting on small wetlands and lakes with emergent vegetation. Range includes Quebec, Ontario and Lower St. Lawrence. It is a late fall migrant, leaving at freeze-up. Fall and wintering flocks gather on freshwater bays and wetlands, and also on estuaries and marine habitats along the Gulf and Pacific Coasts as far south as Central America. Spring migration is the most protracted of any North American duck, with some still migrating in mid May. Information on population size and trends is “confounded by the inability to separate Greater and Lesser scaup in survey data.” (BNA 338: 1-2, 5)
Local history
“It is more generally distributed during migration than the other sea or bay ducks and is frequently found on the smaller ponds and streams,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He listed this as a common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, also occurring in Livingston. (Eaton I: 207, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average fall counts of two to five birds, with a maximum count of 16, on dates ranging from 19 July to 9 December. He gave average spring counts of one to 10 birds, with a maximum count of 500, on dates ranging from 4 April to 31 May.When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester during 1951-1954, this was reported more often than any other diving duck except Red-Breasted Merganser, primarily in spring and fall. However, 46 of the 569 records were in January and early February, and there were also four records in July. Average counts of 200-300 were listed in early November. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B) Status Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common spring and fall transient; an occasional, rare summer visitant and a regular, uncommon winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular fairly common winter visitant and a (presumably regular) common (occasionally very common) spring and fall transient.
Occurrence
Generally, more likely to be seen on bays, ponds, and inlets, rather than on Lake Ontario itself, especially during fall migration and winter.
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 25 August (1983) to 23 October, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 29 September to 10 October. Subsequently, two on 7 August 1999 (D. Tetlow) at Hamlin Beach (GNR) were even earlier “first” of falls. Also early “first of falls”: two on 13 August 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) In most years had departed by 13 December, with a late departure date of 31 December. During the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, only about 700 were tallied each season, observers watching for their smaller size and less extensive white in the wings to separate them from the far more numerous Greater Scaup. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 60)On bays, however, they can be more numerous than Greater Scaup.
Fall maxima: 210 on 28 September 2002 (D. Tetlow, Bounds) Hamlin Beach. (KB 53: 49, LGNR) 500 on 14 October 1950 (mob) Lake Ontario near Rochester. (Bull, p. 142) 800 on 30 October 1988 (C. Cass) at Sodus. (GNR) 1,000 on 4 November 2006 (Lawrence) at Long Pond. (LG, January 2007) 1,000+ on 5 November 1988 (T. Clark) at Long Pond, Greece. (GNR, KB 39:41) 4,000 on 16 November 1969 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) at Irondequoit Bay outlet. (KB 20:17) 3,000 on 3 December 1982 (Griffith) west lakeshore. (GNR) 1,700 on 5 December 1981 (Davids) off Sea Breeze near Irondequoit Bay outlet. (KB32:114, GNR) 1,491 on 19 December 1999 (Rochester CBC) off Irondequoit. (KB 50:160)
Good tallies away from the lakeshore included 300 on 20 November 1999 (K. Fox) at Honeoye Lake (KB 50:53, GNR) and 300 on 24 November 1983 (Davids) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 32)
Winter: “They tend to collect on bays and remain stationary unless weather conditions force them out,” Ewald and Sherony noted. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 60) Though not as common in winter, averaging 105.9 per January Waterfowl Count for 1975-2004, they have been steadily increasing in numbers at that season.
During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 42 percent of the days, less than half as often as Greater Scaup, and in much smaller numbers. His average daily count was 3 (versus 243 for Greater Scaup) with a maximum count of 39 (versus 10,000 for Greater!) on 16 February 1998. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 25 February to 18 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 March to 6 April. However, one on 11 February 1984 (C. Cass) on the Genesee River was listed as an earlier “first record of the spring migration.” (GNR) In most years had departed by 29 May, with a late departure date of 8 June. “In spring, they stage on Lake Ontario, building up to larger numbers in late March and early April,” Ewald and Sherony note. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 60)
Spring maxima: 2,000 on 24 March 2006 (R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (LG, May 2006) 600 on 17 April 1997 at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 32)
Summer: It is not unusual to find stray birds here in summer. Five were at Irondequoit Creek at the start of August in 1931, Horsey and Edson reported. (“Lesser Scaup Ducks Spend Summer in Irondequoit Creek,” D&C, 4 August 1931) As many as 60 were tallied from 1-17 June 1950 (Kemnitzer, mob) along the lakeshore. (GOS, June/August 1950) Corcoran and Van Beurden found one at the Ling Road marshes 27 June 1953 (GOS, September/October 1953); O’Hara and Miller found two along the west lakeshore 24 July 1955. (GOS, April-December 1955) At least seven records since 1984 fell between record late spring and record early fall dates listed above. They include one on 15 July 2001 (Davids, Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP, one all June 2004 (D. Tetlow) at Cranberry Pond, and one on 29-30 June 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (LGNR)It has not been documented nesting here. However, evidence of probable breeding was reported in single blocks in our region, at Braddock Bay during the first BBA project, and at Irondequoit Bay during the second, apparently based on two reported there on 17 June 2003. (GNR)
Spring maxima: 2,000 on 24 March 2006 (R. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (LG, May 2006) 600 on 17 April 1997 at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 32)
Summer: It is not unusual to find stray birds here in summer. Five were at Irondequoit Creek at the start of August in 1931, Horsey and Edson reported. (“Lesser Scaup Ducks Spend Summer in Irondequoit Creek,” D&C, 4 August 1931) As many as 60 were tallied from 1-17 June 1950 (Kemnitzer, mob) along the lakeshore. (GOS, June/August 1950) Corcoran and Van Beurden found one at the Ling Road marshes 27 June 1953 (GOS, September/October 1953); O’Hara and Miller found two along the west lakeshore 24 July 1955. (GOS, April-December 1955) At least seven records since 1984 fell between record late spring and record early fall dates listed above. They include one on 15 July 2001 (Davids, Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP, one all June 2004 (D. Tetlow) at Cranberry Pond, and one on 29-30 June 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (LGNR)It has not been documented nesting here. However, evidence of probable breeding was reported in single blocks in our region, at Braddock Bay during the first BBA project, and at Irondequoit Bay during the second, apparently based on two reported there on 17 June 2003. (GNR)
King Eider
Somateria spectabilisKing Eider
On Sunday, 25 October 1953, the day after witnessing a large flight of Northern Pintail and Scaup off the end of Lighthouse Beach Road and other points along the lakeshore, Walt Listman and Harry Van Beurden were back at this “Duck Lookout” at 7:30 a.m. “Although we did not observe as many ducks and geese Sunday as we did Saturday, the variety was greater, the birds rarer and the wind more invigorating,” Van Beurden reported. “It was blowing 10 to 15 miles an hour from the north and northeast.” . . . The horizon was as sharp as a razor’s edge. The whitecaps were roaring in and we could smell the ducks on the wind!” Brant and scoters were soon flying by in good numbers, close to shore. Even flocks of Oldsquaw more than a mile out could be easily discerned, so good was the visibility. “But the crowning glory of the day was yet to come,” Van Beurden added. “About 10:30 we observed a close flock of 75-90 White-winged Scoters being led by 2 larger and browner ducks.” This flock passed within 600 feet. Putting the scope on them, Walt identified them as immature or female King Eiders; there was one more mixed in with the Scoters for a total of 3. The heavy bodies, longish wings, barring, and King Eider concave forehead were visible. . . .Listman had been hoping to see Eiders on the duck migration for years. I guess his dreams have come true.” (GOS, September/October 1953) More than 40 years after Listman and Van Beurden saw their eiders, the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch came to remarkably similar conclusions about their occurrence. “Often migrating west low off the water on days when water bird migration is very active.” Most are immatures or females; most are seen in November, and most are traveling alone “but sometimes in strings of White-winged Scoters.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 62)
Background
Few species breed as far north as King Eider, which nests in arctic tundra in North America, Europe and Asia, usually inland where scattered lakes and ponds occur. There are two populations in North America, one that winters in the west, primarily in the Bering Sea, and the other in the east, primarily off the coast of Labrador south to Virginia. Many winter at the southern edge of the ice, but immatures have wandered as far south as Florida and southern California. The migrations of this species “are some of the most spectacular passages of birds on the continent,” notes Robert S. Suydam in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. A peak of 113,000 passed Point Barrow, Alaska, in just half an hour. Large numbers can die of exposure or starvation if weather turns severe during spring migration or upon arrival on breeding grounds. Not listed as threatened or endangered, but there is concern over declining numbers. Western population, for example, has been estimated at 375,000, which may be as much as a 55 percent decline from mid 70s to mid 90s. (BNA 491: 1, 3, 5-7, 15-17)
Local history
Eaton (1910) reported that this species occurred “much more frequently” than Common Eider, and listed it as an occasional winter visitor – appearing every few years – at Monroe County, and a rare winter visitor – recorded only a few times – at Wayne. Among the records he cited: Irondequoit Bay, February 1890, and Lake Ontario off Monroe County on 22 December 1895. (Eaton I: 220-221, county charts) This duck is not mentioned in Horsey’s list of species seen at Rochester and Monroe from 1913 to 1936. However, three were sighted on 6 April 1941 on the lake at Charlotte. (B&M, p. 147) By 1959, Edson was “happy that the electric blanket has been invented, thus reducing the market for (eider) down,” believing this accounted at least in part for the increased sightings along Lake Ontario. There had been “one to seven records every winter since 1953…” he noted, making it the most common eider species seen here. (WBR, 21 December 1959) That is not reflected in the Kingbird and Goshawk. However, since the late 1950s this species has been reported almost annually in our region, with largest gap in sightings – four years – occurring in the early 1990s. Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, rare winter and spring visitant. With increased lakewatch coverage, and perhaps the proliferation of zebra mussels as a food source, this species has been recorded annually since 1996.
Occurrence Of about 180 occurrences since 1954, the vast majority – more than 130 – have been November through January. Still our most common eider here. Ratio of King Eider to Common Eider occurrences during the same time frame is about 3.5:1.
The annotated list indicated a range of dates from 21 October to 18 June, with a mid range of 28 November to 24 February. This either ignored or discarded a record early sighting 18 October 1980 (Kemnitzer) at Webster Park (KB 31:26, GNR); more recently another was seen 19 October 1999 (Ewald) at Hamlin Beach SP, reported as the new record early date. (KB 50:53, GNR)Systematic coverage at Hamlin Beach SP with improved optical equipment and increased observer experience at identifying flybys yielded forty, ten, and twenty sightings from 1997 to 1999, with King Eider outnumbering Common Eiders 5:1. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 62-63) During November 2002 as many as 14 were tallied (mop) on 7 dates, most at Hamlin Beach, but also off Webster Park and off Wayne County. (GNR)“Eiders are believed to be more common on Lake Ontario in more recent years because of the food source created by Zebra Mussels.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 62) Maxima: 5 on 7 or 17 November 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:48; Ewald and Sherony, p. 63; GNR) 5 on 9 November 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:48)
10 on 9 Nov 2004 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 55: 50) 9 on 2 December 1999 (Symonds, Ewald) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 50: 160) 5 on 3 December 1997 (Lanzone) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:143, GNR) 5 on 4 December 2004 (Symonds, mob) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 55:171) 5 on 11 December 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 51:60) 6 – five females, one male – on 14 January 2002 (Symonds, D. Tetlow) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 52:152) 8 on 19 April 1960 (Kemnitzer) at Sea Breeze with seven still there the next day. (KB 10: 59)
Common Eider
(formerly American Eider)Somateria mollissimaCommon Eider
This birder had never seen a Common Eider until Gary Chapin found a female at Irondequoit Bay Outlet. It lingered from 13 November to 4 December 2005. When approached on 19 November it was resting with its head tucked on its back about three feet from the edge of the shore. The birder had to walk within a few feet of it to get it to lift its head, revealing those wonderful “diagnostic bill processes,” but it did so for only for a moment, before nonchalantly tucking its head on its back to resume its slumbers. It seemed ironic, to say the least. This has been a rarely seen species in our region, eluding a great many local birders for years and years, and even the increased sightings in recent years have often involved only fleeting glimpses of immature birds flying by the Hamlin Beach lakewatch. And then this one suddenly shows up in a very accessible place and can be viewed at one’s leisure from only a few feet away! Such is the pure serendipity that makes birding such a fascinating pursuit.
Background
This is the largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere, and is more closely tied to marine habitats than any other sea duck, nesting in large colonies on marine islands or on narrow, low-lying points of land from Alaska and the northern coasts of Canada across northern Eurasia. Large wintering flocks gather at inshore coastal areas, many remaining as far north as open water persists, often in the same general areas where they bred. Considered casual on the Great Lakes in winter. Incubating hens are famous for releasing a foul-smelling green and oily excrement over eggs and nest when frightened or flushed. Some populations were nearly extirpated by down and egg hunters by the early 1900s. With protection, populations have since recovered. Total North American winter population estimated at 600,000-750,000. However, Pacific populations are declining dramatically, perhaps because of heavy metals in the food chain, and declines have been reported in the Canadian Arctic, Alaska and Russia. (BNA 546: 1, 3, 10, 19, 21)
Local History
“As long as lists of birds have been kept in this region, the American eider has been among the rarest of accidental visitors,” John Brown noted in 1956. (BA, 15 November 1956) Indeed, he could not help but note the irony when this species’ name was changed to Common Eider. “In this region the name is quite inappropriate. It is very rarely seen here.” (BA, 23 February 1967) “Unfortunately,” he added, “the individuals that do visit the county’s shores of Lake Ontario are invariably in juvenile plumage and difficult to identify.”Eaton (1910) listed this as a rare winter visitor at Monroe County, meaning it had been recorded only a few times, and gave no indication of occurrence at Livingston or Wayne counties. (Eaton I: county charts). Horsey does not list it among species seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, so a female seen at the lakeshore by Gordon Meade 8 October 1939 may well have been the first since the turn of the century. (BA, 15 November 1956) “The bird . . . was seen by several observers over a period of two hours and at such close quarters that there is no doubt that it was the American (Common) eider and not the king eider, which is much more frequently recorded. . .” Edson reported. (WBR, 16 October 1939) The next sighting apparently came two years later, on 24 January 1941. “The American eider duck is paying us a visit, and possibly may be seen off the pier at Charlotte,” Edson reported. (WBR, 27 January 1941; BA, 15 November 1956) A sighting by a Genesee Ornithological Society field trip on 19 November 1950 prompted Edson to observe this is “one of our rarest ducks.” (WBR, 27 November 1950; GNR) There were only four more sightings during the 1950s, then two in the early 1960s.Rochester birders were understandably excited about the one that Walt Listman saw on the river near the Stutson Street Bridge on 19 February 1967. (KB 17:95) Later in the day it worked its way “down toward the lake where observers were able to approach within a few feet of it and get a good look at the diagnostic bill processes which extend well up on the head.” (BA, 23 February 1967)This species was reported two out of every three years from 1967 through 1981, then came a major gap in sightings until 1994. (Note: Except for one possible sighting, 12-16 December 1990, which the observer was not sure was diagnostic, and was rejected by NYSARC. See KB 41:104, 42:7.)Then sightings again came almost annually, thanks to increased coverage provided by the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, increased experience of observers and, as Bill Symonds succinctly observed, “better optics and zebra mussels.” (LG December 2001). An exceptional sixteen were reported at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch in fall 1997, however none of the eleven submitted to NYSARC were accepted. (KB 50:23) Only two were tallied there the next year. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 62) Most Common Eiders seen during the lakewatch were immatures, headed west.
Status Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, very rare winter visitant. In recent years recorded almost yearly.
Occurrence Approximately 52 records. The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated dates ranging from 8 October (1939) to 31 March (1967, 1968).
Maxima: 3 imm./females on 18 October 2001 (D. Tetlow, Soule) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 52:59) 4 imm./females on 23 October 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:48) 5 imm./females on 7 November 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:48) 3 imm./females on 12, 17 November 2001 (Symonds, D. Tetlow) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 52:59)
Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicusHarlequin Duck
Russell Station, with its warm discharge of water, is a prime birding spot during the winter months. This was especially true the winter of 1976-77. On 2 February, Kevin Griffith parked his car there and peered through his telescope at the assorted scoters, goldeneyes, Bufflehead, scaup and mergansers just off shore. One small duck soon caught his attention. It was between a bufflehead and goldeneye in size, with a prominent white crescent along the leading edge of the dark head. “Additional white patches adorned the center and back of the face. It rode low in the water with a slight rise of the tail. After closer observation I was able to detect a bit of chestnut color along the side of the body. Above this were discernible white streaks. I had just completed the process of identifying my very first Harlequin Duck. From that moment on the Harlequin has been one of my favorite waterfowl species.” (LG, February 1984) And no wonder. It is hard for anyone who has seen the male Wood Duck to imagine it could have any rival for sheer beauty, even gaudiness – until the male of this species is seen. But even females and immatures, wearing far less stunning plumage, are fun to observe. “Best of all” the waterfowl sightings during October 1979, Chip Perrigo wrote in his field editorial, were two immature Harlequin Ducks, “tame and unpretentious little creatures, that spent all of their time romping in the light surf at the end of several stone jetties at Hamlin Beach. They appear quite content in feeding at the man-made promontories, so they may well remain through the season. . .” (LG, November 1979)
Background
This sea-duck is unique among North American waterfowl, breeding, like the American Dipper, in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, where this bird moves “swiftly and with great agility in turbulent white water, diving to the river bottom to pick larval insects from rocky substrates,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. Breeding occurs at opposite ends of the continent – in Alaska south through the Yukon and British Columbia into the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, and in eastern Canada. In winter, they move to the coasts of North America and Greenland, where they are usually found close to shore, feeding in raging surf or loafing on rocks. They make a very unducklike squeaking noise, and “are relatively tame and can be approached closely in many areas.” Rare but increasing on the Great Lakes in winter. Though overall wintering populations in the eastern U.S. are much smaller than historical highs, numbers are rebounding in some areas. However, this eastern population may be no more than 1,500 and even in the west there have been significant range reductions. This species is still vulnerable to overhunting, human disturbance at its breeding sites, and loss of habitat. (BNA 466: 1-3, 19)
Local history Eaton (1910) considered this a species “of rare occurrence” in New York state, and listed no records for Monroe, Livingston or Wayne counties. (Eaton I: 215, county charts). Nor does this species appear in Horsey’s list of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936. On 1 March 1953, Harry Van Beurden and a friend were convinced they saw one offshore from Round Pond outlet, which would have been a first for Monroe County, Edson reported. (WBR, 9 March 1953) It was not reported in the Goshawk or Kingbird. However, more sightings quickly followed: A full-plumaged male from 20 December 1953 to 1 January 1954 (Van Beurden, mob) was on Lake Ontario near Russell Station and Rigney’s Bluff “usually with Common Goldeneyes.” (GNR; B&M, p. 145) Either the same or a different bird was observed later in January off Webster Park. (KB 4: 10) Another on 23 January 1955 (mob) was also off Webster Park. (KB 5:15) By 1960 there had been at least half a dozen sightings here.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an irregular, rare winter visitant, and a sporadic, very rare spring visitant.
Occurrence
Since 1953 at least one to two have been seen here almost yearly, usually late fall through winter. Altogether, there have been about 70 records. The great majority – about 45 – have occurred in November through January with about 15 others in March through May.
One 19 September 2001 (R. Spahn) at Hamlin Beach SP was record early. (KB 52:59) One 27 May 1956 (Listman, Haft) at Braddock Bay was record late. (KB 6: 53)Maxima: 4 (two males, two females) 19 November to 3 December 1983 (Davids, Griffith) at Braddock Bay. (KB 34:42, LGNR)
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillataSurf Scoter
Patience is a virtue at the Hamlin Beach lakewatch in fall. Even on days when few waterfowl appear to be moving, you never know what might show up. One year a birder dropped by hoping for a Surf Scoter. It was a calm, sunlit morning. Not much was happening offshore. The birder waited perhaps 15 minutes, maybe a half hour, sensed little was going on, and left.Minutes later, a male Surf Scoter flew by just offshore, in full sunlight. The orange bill and white head patches were breathtaking in the crisp, clear air.
Background
This species, which breeds and winters exclusively in North America, was, until recent years, one of the least studied of our waterfowl. It breeds on shallow freshwater lakes of the tundra and boreal zones in Alaska and Canada, wintering along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Large portion of East Coast population stages in the St. Lawrence Estuary and gulf from late April to mid-May en route to northern breeding grounds; fall migration may be more complex, with males, females and young likely having different migrating routes and staging sites. Males, for example, leave breeding grounds for molting sites almost a month before females. Young arrive at fall staging and wintering areas independently of adults. More common inland during fall migration than in spring (reflected in local sightings below). Seldom flies in line like other scoters and flight is less heavy than that of White-winged Scoter. Population dynamics and trends poorly understood; like other sea ducks, this scoter is long-lived and has low reproductive output, so hunting and accidental deaths due to fishing nets or oiling “can have significant impact on the population.” (BNA 363: 1, 6, 7, 10, 15-17)
Local history
Eaton (1910) wrote that this species was an abundant transient along the coast, but “less commonly met with on the Great Lakes, except in the fall when it is common for a few days in October.” He considered this a fairly common migrant in Monroe County, also occurring in Wayne. (Eaton I: 224, county charts) However, Horsey doesn’t even mention this species in his list of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913-1936. “For many years we seldom observed any but the white-winged scoter here,” Edson reported in 1956, “but recently the surf scoter and the American [Black] scoter are also to be seen…” (WBR, 10 December 1956) When Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings from 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester during 1951-1954, he found Surf Scoters reported 25 times – less than Black Scoter (36) and White-winged (190) – and primarily in fall and winter, with average counts reaching 10 to 20 at a time in late October. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B) That included 32 tallied off Lighthouse Beach on 25 October 1953 (Listman, Van Beurden) during a large flight of White-winged Scoters. (GOS, November-December 1953) Eighty-two on 12 October 1964 (Kemnitzer) were along the east lakeshore. (KB15: 29) Even so, Bull (1974) considered this the least numerous of the three scoters to be found on the Great Lakes. “Interestingly enough, it is during October that the largest concentrations of all three species occur on inland waters, especially Lake Ontario, probably indicating a regular overland migration at that time.” (Bull, p. 146)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common to very common fall transient; an irregular, rare winter visitant, and an occasional, rare spring transient. Increased lakewatching during recent years in spring suggests these are regular migrants during that season as well.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this sporadic rare winter visitant and a (presumably irregular) uncommon to rare fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 22 September (1979) to 18 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 to 28 October. Subsequently, one on 26 August 2001 (Symonds, S. Taylor) at Hamlin Beach set a new record early fall date. (KB 51:784, LGNR) Another early “first of fall” were two on 29 August 1997 (Sherony, Davids) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) In most years had departed by 19 December, with a late departure date of 31 December. Maximum daily counts during the seven years of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project ranged from 53 to 141 – except for 699 on 7 November 1997 during the extraordinary scoter flight that included a record number of Black Scoters. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 68-69) The average season count was 770, but ranged from 1,043 to 1,391 the last three years of the count.
Other fall maxima: 250 on 2 October 1977 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (LG, November 1977) 260+ on 17 October 1983 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, November 1983) 800 on 23 October 1965 (GOS hike) Hamlin Beach SP, part of an “unprecedented” movement of scoters along Lake Ontario. (KB 16:32; Bull, pp. 146-147) 580 on 5 November 2003 (R. Spahn, D. Tetlow) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 54:55, GNR) 699 on 7 November 1997 (Lanzone) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, January 1998)
A total of 150 at Silver Lake, Wyoming County, on 25 October 1959 was a very good count away from the lake. (Bull, p. 147)
Winter: Smaller numbers remain on Lake Ontario in winter. The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 28 December to 29 March, with a mid range of 11 January to 6 March. During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 17 percent of the days. His maximum count was 20 on 27 January 1999. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)Recorded in our region on 10 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 7 in 1992.
Spring: Numbers begin to build again as birds migrate along the lake, though not reaching the maxima seen in fall. The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 18 April to 13 May, departing between 14 and 21 May. However, one on 23 May 1976 (D., M. and T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay was even later (LG, June 1976) as was one on 25-26 May 1980 (Davids, S. Taylor, Perrigo) at Braddock Bay. (LG, June 1980) Two on 8 May 1991 (C. Cass) were at Mendon Ponds – an interesting location. (LG, June 1991)
Spring maxima: 77 on 20 April 1999 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 49:233, LGNR) 57 on 26 April 1998 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48: 223, LGNR) 62 on 26 April 2003 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 53:233, LGNR) 133 on 27 April 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 45:189, LGNR) 51 on 29 April 2001 (Symonds, mob) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, June 2001) 65 on 30 April 2000 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 50: 283, LGNR) 41 on 4 May 2005 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, July/August 2005)
Summer: Summer birds are hardly ever encountered. This writer found only one record falling between record late for spring and record early for fall: 6 on 1 June 1994 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (KB 44: 302) Late migrants?
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta deglandi (formerly Melanitta fusca)White-winged Scoter
There are many species of waterfowl that require fairly advanced levels of skill and concentration to properly identify as they fly by Hamlin Beach State Park, far out over Lake Ontario. Jaegers, for example, and eiders and even loons at a distance. White-winged scoters are NOT among them. A long, low string of these pudgy looking dark ducks with distinctive white wing patches is unmistakable. A “no brainer,” if you will – until that dark-winged scoter is picked up third from the end. And then the birder must again draw on all his skills and powers of observation to decide if it is a Surf or Black! Indeed, the major challenge with White-winged Scoters is not identifying them, but trying to explain why a duck now reported so often was once hardly ever recorded here. Indeed, the paucity of reports of this species during the first half of the 20th Century is one of the more baffling mysteries of Rochester birding.
Background
This species, also found in Europe and Asia, nests on freshwater lakes and wetlands in the interior of Alaska and western Canada and winters primarily along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, where flocks of 100,000 to 400,000 have been observed off Cape Cod and Nantucket Island. At one time these birds were probably much more abundant, but were displaced from prairie breeding areas by increased agriculture and human disturbance. They feed almost exclusively by diving, with mollusks and crustaceans being important food in wintering areas. Most females abandon their young within two weeks of hatching, leading to large aggregate broods protected by a few females. Losses of these ducklings to gulls can be extremely high. Population trends are almost impossible to determine, in part because aerial surveys fail to differentiate between the three scoter species. Wintering Great Lakes populations may be increasing because of the invasion of zebra mussel. (BNA 274: 1, 3, 11, 15-16, 18) Local history
“This bird may be recognized at long distances on account of the black plumage with white speculum,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He listed this as a common migrant in Monroe County. (Eaton I: 223, county charts) However, R.E. Horsey, in his checklist of Rochester and Monroe County birds seen from 1913 to 1936, says White-winged Scoter was recorded in only eight of those years, averaging only one to two birds at a time, with a maximum count of only 30, on dates ranging from 12 September to 22 March. Edson in 1936 said it had been “absent from our records for several years.” (WBR, 9 November 1936) “It is mostly a night feeder,” he added in 1938, “and during the day remains far out on the lake, coming in next (to) the shore only after dark. This, no doubt, explains why they are not recorded here more often.” (WBR, 28 Nov 1938)“The white-winged scoter . . . probably is considerably more common than our records indicate as in calm weather the daylight hours are mostly spent far out on the lake,” he elaborated in 1941. “Apparently only on days when the waves are running high are they seen close to shore.” (WBR, 3 Nov 1941)Interestingly, one of the first large tallies came in spring. A maximum of 800 along the west lakeshore shows up in the Goshawk listing of noteworthy sightings for the period 8 February-6 March 1948. When 18 were observed along the lakeshore on 24 November 1949, it also made the Goshawk’s list of noteworthy sightings (GNR); so did groups of one to 10 seen along the lakeshore in December 1952. (GNR) All of which seems incredible now. This is the most abundant waterfowl observed along Lake Ontario during fall migration. Why this discrepancy? There is no indication that White-winged Scoter suffered particularly drastic declines, such as Brant, during the 1930s and 1940s to account for the paucity of sightings. Even when “the encroachment of civilization on its breeding grounds” and the drought years “substantially lessened” its numbers in the 1930s, the White-winged Scoter still existed “in such large quantities that there is not the slightest fear of its extermination,” Francis H. Kortright wrote in 1942. (p. 327)Is this an example of a species that might have gone undetected because of inadequate optics? Perhaps. This species “is a distant migrant, with flocks seldom closer than ¼ mile from shore,” Brett Ewald and Dominic Sherony note in their analysis of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 70) So it is possible that early Rochester birders were limited by less powerful optical equipment. “Our lack of reports in former years may have been partly due to the difficulty in seeing them because they are usually so far off shore,” the Goshawk observed in 1952. (GOS, November-December 1952) It offered Walt Listman’s advice to watch for scoters on days when the lake was rough and winds were from the north; under those conditions the birds would pass by the Charlotte Pier and Lighthouse Beach close enough to be identified. Leo Tanghe, in his commentary accompanying his 1955 charts on the seasonal abundance of Rochester birds, stated: “The increase in winter records of White-winged Scoters is probably due to better binoculars and scopes.” (KB 5: 84)There were no less than 190 sightings during the years 1951-1954, according to Tanghe’s compilations, with 83 of those sightings coming in October and November. For example, 570 on 25 October 1953 (Listman, Van Beurden) were tallied off Lighthouse Beach. (GOS, November-December 1953). Even so, the average counts were still only 30 to 50, even during the peak fall migration period. (KB5: 69: 1B-2B) So it was noteworthy, indeed, when 1,000 on 19 October 1957 (Listman) were tallied off Lighthouse Beach (KB7:120) and when another 2,000 on 23 October 1965 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) were observed off Hamlin Beach as part of an “unprecedented” scoter movement along Lake Ontario. (Bull, p. 146; KB16: 32) Such numbers are now routine.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common to abundant fall transient; a regular, fairly common to abundant winter visitant; a regular, very common spring transient, and a casual, rare summer visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this sporadic rare winter visitant, an occasional rare spring transient and a (presumably irregular) rare fall transient, recorded only on Conesus and Hemlock lakes.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 5 September to 3 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 September to 19 October. With increased lakewatch coverage, it is now clear that migrants begin moving in August. Twelve on 4 August 1999 (Symonds, Davids) at Hamlin Beach SP were even earlier “First of fall” arrivals. (GNR) Other early “firsts of fall”: two on 6 August 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) Good early season tallies include: 124 on 20 Aug 2000 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (KB 50:401, GNR); 34 on 24 August 1996 (K. and J. Fox) at Hamlin Beach SP (LG, September 1996) and 40 off Hamlin (Davids) on 28 August 1982. (GNR)In most years had departed by 30 November, with a late departure date of 6 December, according to the annotated list. However, see discussion of a second, later peak in the migration below. This was the most abundant waterfowl species tallied on the lake during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project. Fall totals ranged from 75,574 to 85,797 during the last three years of the project. They are “present as early as mid-August” but arrive in “significant numbers the last ten days of September.” Analyzing the lakewatch data, Ewald and Sherony found two “peaks” to the fall and early winter migration of this species. One, occurring 1 October to 5 November, corresponded closely to peak flights of Black and Surf Scoters. The second, occurring 4 December to 4 January, may represent a different population. Peak movements occurred during the first two hours of daylight. When resting on the surface, White-winged Scoters formed scattered groups, “unlike the concentrated rafts formed by Greater Scaup.” (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 70-71)Of more than 25,000 scoters reported off Hamlin Beach (R. Spahn) on 28 November 1992, most were white-winged. (GNR)
Other fall maxima: 3,285 on 15 October 1994 (lakewatch project) at Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 71) 2,000 on 23 October 1965 (Genesee Ornithological Society hike) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 2,024 on 26 October 1993 (lakewatch project) at Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 71) 2,450 on 10 November 1991 (C. Cass) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 10,000 on 14 November 1981 (Davids, Listman) west lakeshore. (KB 32:40) 3,000 on 16 November 1971 (Kemnitzer) off Irondequoit outlet. (GOS, January 1972) 5,000 on 23 November 1980 (F. and R. Dobson) east lakeshore. (GNR) 2,000 on 25 November 1984 (R. Dobson) Hamlin. (GNR) 2,500 on 25 November 2002 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 2,373 on 30 November 1999 (Ewald, Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 5,523 on 1 December 1999 (Ewald, Soule, Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR)
Winter: As noted above, the early winter migration of this species may represent a second population. Good numbers stay through winter, in much larger numbers than the other scoters. During the 7-year period of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, Bill Symonds spent 161 days counting waterfowl for the period 1 January to 15 March. White-winged Scoters were observed on 94 percent of those days, with an average count of 285 a day, the most numerous of any species. Black and Surf scoters averaged less than one per day. Symonds’ maximum count was 2,260 on 4 February 1999. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)One of the more common species tallied on the January Waterfowl Counts, as well, averaging 716.9 per count in Region 2 for the period 1975 to 2004, but steadily declining.
Subsequent JWC tallies show an improvement: 646 in 2005; 1,182 in 2006 and 1,853 in 2007.
Winter maxima: 8,631 on 9 December 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) 7,324 on 14 December 1998 (Albanese) Hamlin Beach. (GNR). 4,000 on 26 December 1981 (Davids et al) lakeshore. (GNR) 10,000 on 31 December 1979 (F. Dobson) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 4,000 on 1 January 1980 (R. Clark, mob) along the east lakeshore. (LG, February 1980) 3,000-5,000 on 2, 3 January 1982 (mob) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 8,000 on 6 January 1980 (mob) at Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 2,260 on 4 February 1999 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)
Spring: As birds stage on the lake or fly through on their northbound migration, more large tallies are possible, extending into June (see summer below). The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 19 February to 9 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 6 March to 14 April. In most years had departed by 22 May, with a late departure date of 31 May (1958). However, the June maxima below clearly suggest later departure dates.
Spring maxima: 1,818 on 20 February 2001 (Symonds, D. Tetlow, Davids) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 51:610, GNR) 1,000 on 21 February 2007 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, April 2007) 1,690 on 26 February 1996 (Symonds, Marcotte) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, March 1996) 1,250 on 12 March 2007 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, May 2007) 1,000 on 25 March 1982 (R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GNR) 750 on 26 March 1959 (Kemnitzer) east lakeshore. (GNR) 650 on 13 May 1973 (Listman) Braddock Bay. (GNR) 500+ on 13 May 1978 (F. and R. Dobson) Point Breeze. (GNR) 10,800 on 18 May 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (KB 44:205), a truly startling tally for May. Summer: Sightings between the record late date for spring and record early for fall have occurred in nine years since 1984, but in only five after the first week in June. July records occurred during only three of those years.
Summer maxima: 285 on 1 June 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 1,030 on 2 June 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (GNR), an extraordinary count for so late, after an even more incredible tally in May. (See above) 18 on 3 June 1983 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 11 on 12 June 1993 (P. Spindler) Point Breeze. (GNR) 1-57 from 1-20 June 2003 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, September 2003) 7 on 4 July 1964 (Listman) Manitou. (KB 14:221) 8 on 6 July 2004 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 12 on 28 July 1995 Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 45:291) 11 on 1 Aug 1985 Hamlin Beach SP. (KB35: 265)
Winter maxima: 8,631 on 9 December 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) 7,324 on 14 December 1998 (Albanese) Hamlin Beach. (GNR). 4,000 on 26 December 1981 (Davids et al) lakeshore. (GNR) 10,000 on 31 December 1979 (F. Dobson) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 4,000 on 1 January 1980 (R. Clark, mob) along the east lakeshore. (LG, February 1980) 3,000-5,000 on 2, 3 January 1982 (mob) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 8,000 on 6 January 1980 (mob) at Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 2,260 on 4 February 1999 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20)
Spring: As birds stage on the lake or fly through on their northbound migration, more large tallies are possible, extending into June (see summer below). The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 19 February to 9 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 6 March to 14 April. In most years had departed by 22 May, with a late departure date of 31 May (1958). However, the June maxima below clearly suggest later departure dates.
Spring maxima: 1,818 on 20 February 2001 (Symonds, D. Tetlow, Davids) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 51:610, GNR) 1,000 on 21 February 2007 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, April 2007) 1,690 on 26 February 1996 (Symonds, Marcotte) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, March 1996) 1,250 on 12 March 2007 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, May 2007) 1,000 on 25 March 1982 (R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GNR) 750 on 26 March 1959 (Kemnitzer) east lakeshore. (GNR) 650 on 13 May 1973 (Listman) Braddock Bay. (GNR) 500+ on 13 May 1978 (F. and R. Dobson) Point Breeze. (GNR) 10,800 on 18 May 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (KB 44:205), a truly startling tally for May. Summer: Sightings between the record late date for spring and record early for fall have occurred in nine years since 1984, but in only five after the first week in June. July records occurred during only three of those years.
Summer maxima: 285 on 1 June 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 1,030 on 2 June 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP (GNR), an extraordinary count for so late, after an even more incredible tally in May. (See above) 18 on 3 June 1983 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 11 on 12 June 1993 (P. Spindler) Point Breeze. (GNR) 1-57 from 1-20 June 2003 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, September 2003) 7 on 4 July 1964 (Listman) Manitou. (KB 14:221) 8 on 6 July 2004 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 12 on 28 July 1995 Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 45:291) 11 on 1 Aug 1985 Hamlin Beach SP. (KB35: 265)
Black Scoter
(formerly American, Common Scoter)Melanitta americana (formerly Melanitta nigra)Black Scoter
“Here they come,” Mike Lanzone shouted through a northeast wind. And here they came. Low over the water. Right down the shoreline. A huge, ragged, ever-shifting formation of Black Scoters, flooding towards us from beyond the willows at our left. In a few moments, they were streaming by in front of us, filling my scope. Females and immatures with striking light face patches. Pitch black males with wonderful orange butterballs on their bills. Racing each other eastward, right into the wind, hundreds and hundreds of them. It was like some gigantic scoter Kentucky Derby, coming down to the wire. – LG, December 1997 This birder, overwhelmed by the spectacle of it all, was not much help to Lanzone that morning of 7 November 1997 at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch. Fortunately, as flock after flock of Black Scoters streamed by, Lanzone, the official counter for the lakewatch project that fall, coolly kept adding them up. The 11,635 he tallied that day exceeded any of the inland counts for New York State at that time. And it was all the more remarkable considering the history of this species in our region. Background
This is one of North America’s least understood waterfowl, breeding along often acidic lakes in remote northern Quebec and Alaska, and wintering along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, less so on the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. This species also breeds from Iceland across Scandinavia, Russia and Siberia. Two populations of Black Scoter breed in North America – one in northern Alaska, and the other in northern Quebec. Thousands of eastern birds gather on James and Hudson bays to molt before departing for major wintering areas in the coastal waters off Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island – males gathering soon after females begin incubating, according to a profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. The recent invasion of the Great lakes by zebra mussels, a potential food, could influence the staging and wintering distribution of this species. There is little reliable information on the actual number of Black Scoters, but there is increasing concern over sea bird populations in general as restrictions on the hunting of other waterfowl lead hunters to take a higher toll of these birds. (BNA 177: 1, 3, 5, 12, 14)
Local history
Eaton (1910) considered this a “common fall migrant” on Lake Ontario and noted that “great flights” had been reported on Lake Erie. However, he listed Black Scoter as only an occasional migrant – appearing every few years – for Monroe County. (Eaton I:222, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his checklist of Rochester and Monroe County birds seen from 1913 to 1936, indicated that Black Scoter was recorded in only five of those years, usually only one to two a day, but as many as 300 on dates ranging from 9 November to 9 January. Adult males were “seldom seen” on Lake Ontario, Edson observed in 1940, but females and young “sometimes appear with the white-winged scoter.” (WBR, 12 February 1940) Sightings apparently began to pick up during the post-war years. And yet, when Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings from 1,665 GOS field trips within a 50-mile radius of Rochester during 1951-1954, he found Black Scoters reported only 36 times, primarily in October and November, with an average count of 10 to 20 during October. That included 41 on 25 October 1953 (Listman, Van Beurden) off Lighthouse Beach during a large flight of White-winged Scoters. (GOS, November-December 1953)In 1958, Edson reported that “in the last few years an individual, or two, appears here for a very brief time along Lake Ontario.” (WBR, 20 October 1958) Six days later, 360 were recorded along the west lakeshore during a Genesee Ornithological Society field trip. (KB8:115) Then came the 1,700 on 23 October 1965 off Hamlin Beach during an “unprecedented” flight of all three species of scoter. (Bull, p. 147) More than a dozen – a “likely aftermath” of that flight – were still scattered along the lakeshore between Irondequoit Bay and Nine Mile Point in December 1965. (WBR, 27 December 1965)This species is now regularly reported as a fall and spring migrant, at least in part, no doubt, because of more systematic counts and because of improved optics that help observers detect and identify these birds as they fly far offshore.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common to very common fall transient, and an occasional, rare spring visitant. Increased lakewatch activity in spring now indicates a more regular occurrence at that season.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a casual very rare fall visitant.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 25 September (1977) to 1 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 8 to 23 October. Subsequently, one on 23 August 1987 (C. Cass, Davids) at Hamlin Beach was an even earlier “first of fall.” (GNR) Also early: one on 29 August 1996 (C. Cass, Bounds) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) In most years had departed by 2 January, with a late departure date of 10 February. During the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, an average of 1,036 were seen each season (discounting the 11,635), usually “as small flocks or as individuals, or mixed with White-winged Scoters.” And, as with Surf Scoters, they tended to fly east, Ewald and Sherony wrote in their summary of the project. However, large, single-day flights have occurred, usually the last week of October, or the first week of November. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 66)
Fall maxima: 1,213 on 15 October 2000 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 1,700 on 23 October 1965 (Genesee Ornithological Society trip) off Hamlin Beach during an “unprecedented” scoter movement. (Bull, p. 147; KB16: 32) 3,920 on 24 October 1971 (Listman) off Manitou. (KB22: 29) 1,800 on 29 October 1973 (Claffey, Vollmer) west lakeshore. (KB 24:17) 11,635 on 7 November 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach SP, when Black Scoters “came in waves, many close to shore,” all flying east. “The flight started early in the morning, peaked between 10:00 and 11:00 am, and was complete by 1:00 pm.” (Ewald and Sherony, p. 66) 750 on 30 November 1973 (Perrigo) in a single raft off Durand-Eastman Park. (KB 24:17)
Ten to 56 from 9-22 November 1997 (K. Fox) at Conesus Lake – on the heels of the record flight at Hamlin Beach SP – was a good inland tally. (KB 48:48) Relatively small numbers linger into what, for most species, would be considered winter months. However, given the range of dates for Black Scoter in the Monroe County annotated list, this period will be treated as “late fall.” During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species 14 percent of the days, but averaging less than one a day. His maximum count was 10 on 20 January 1999. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) Recorded in our region on 14 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007. The largest count was 18 in 1992. Other “late fall” maxima include 40+ on 28 December 1994 (Sherony, G. Chapin) Sodus Bay (GNR) and 30 on 1 January 1978 (R. Spahn) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of dates from 22 February to 23 May, with a mid range of 24 March to 29 April. Subsequently one on 13 June 2000 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP was considered record late. (KB50: 401) Spring maxima: 90 on 5 April 1981 (F. and R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GNR) 60 on 19 April 1992 (R. Spahn) east lakeshore at Nine Mile Point. (GOS, June 1992) 36 on 27 April 2005 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, June 2005) 40 on 3 May 1996 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, June 2006) 20 on 19 May 1985 (Childers, Reinhardt) on the lake off Kendall. (GNR)
Summer: Extremely rare. Since 1984, there appears to be only a single report falling between the record late date for spring and record early for fall: A male on 20 July 2004 (Symonds, D. Tetlow) at Hamlin Beach. (LG, September 2004)
Long-tailed Duck
(formerly Oldsquaw)Clangula hyemalisLong-tailed Duck
A lot of Rochester birders will relate instantly to Richard O’Hara’s diary entry for 20 November 1938. The young 15-year-old birder and his buddy Rich Andre took one of their occasional outings to the lake. “The Old Squaws were simply marvelous,” O’Hara wrote. “One full adult male came within twenty-five feet. Their striking coloration . . . and interesting habits . . . make them quite a find. We were greatly excited as neither of us had ever seen it before.” Though large rafts of these winter visitors remain well out on the lake, barely visible even through spotting scopes, small numbers also venture close to shore, even within the piers at Charlotte and the jetties at Irondequoit Bay outlet. The handsome winter plumage of the male makes it an exciting and memorable “lifer” for beginning birders when they see it for the first time. Background
This extremely vocal arctic species is unique in having three seasonal plumages instead of two, dives deeper than any other sea duck, and is named after the elongated central tail feathers than stream out behind the male. It breeds in subarctic and arctic freshwater wetlands from Alaska, across far northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia and Russia. North American birds winter primarily along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence. Alaskan populations appear to be declining drastically; lead ingestion has been suggested as a contributing factor. However, a top priority for this species is better understanding this species’ breeding biology and identifying chief causes of mortality. (BNA 651: 1-2, 17, 21)
Local History
“The Oldsquaw was formerly taken in large numbers in gill nets from great depths in Lake Erie,” John Bull recounted. “In November 1891 at Dunkirk between 5000 and 7000 were gathered at a single haul. Most of these ducks were caught at 15 fathoms (90 feet).” (Bull, p. 145)Indeed, as a result of this “wholesale slaughter on the lakes” it was a “noticeable fact” that these birds were “far less abundant” than 30 years before, Eaton (1910) observed. Even so, he listed this as a common winter visitor for both Monroe and Wayne counties, also occurring as a transient in Livingston. (Eaton I: 214, county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of two to nine birds, with a maximum count of 200, on dates ranging from 12 September to 29 April. (It would be interesting to know if higher maxima might have been recorded with better scopes to pick up rafts far out on the lake!)When Leo Tanghe analyzed sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members for 1951-1954 within a 50-mile radius of Rochester, he found 373 records of Oldsquaw, trailing Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, the scaups, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead among the diving ducks. Most were found late October, when the average count was 100 to 200, through March.During the first 10 years of the January Waterfowl Count, from 1955-1964, this was the third most common species tallied in Region 2 with an average count of 1,121.2 – due in large part to the 6,246 tallied in 1964. That was followed by 6,949 the following year. (See more recent tallies under “winter” below.)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common to abundant winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular common to rare winter visitant, and a (presumably irregular) fairly common spring and fall transient, with almost all records from Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 33)
Occurrence
Fall/winter: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 2 August to 26 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 October to 7 November. Ewald and Sherony, analyzing data from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, concluded that, unlike wintering Greater Scaup, which tend to continue moving west along the lake, Long-tailed Ducks are “a stationary presence. We see no indication of transient migrants. We believe that the birds arriving on Lake Ontario remain throughout the winter.” Average season’s tally during the fall count was 12,213. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 64-65)During the 7-year period of the lakewatch, Bill Symonds spent 161 days counting waterfowl for the period 1 January to 15 March. Long-tailed ducks were observed on 93 percent of those days, with an average count of 140 a day. His maximum count was 2,885 on 10 February 1999. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) The January Waterfowl Count in Region 2 has produced increasing tallies, perhaps in part because improved optics allow observers to pick up birds farther out on the lake.
Other maxima: 4,000+ on 29 October 1983 (mob) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, November 1983) 4,582 on 2 November 1997, Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 65) 5,000 on 5 November 1983 (Lloyd, Sunderlin, Colsman) Webster. (GNR) 5,000 on 27 November 1966 (Doherty, Miller) Charlotte. (GNR) 5,000 on 31 December 1958 (Kemnitzer, Listman) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 5,000+ on 17 January 1999 (Boettcher, R. Spahn) off Forest Lawn, Webster. (GNR) 6,200 on 19 January 1964 (January Waterfowl Count) along lakeshore. (KB14: 98) 5,000+ on 9 February 1998 (R. Spahn) off Durand-Eastman Park. (GOS, April 1998) Smaller numbers regularly reward winter birders by coming into Irondequoit Bay outlet and the mouth of the Genesee River at Charlotte, allowing closer range observation. Conesus Lake also attracts migrants and winter visitors, with a maximum of 150 on 14 December 1975. (LG, January 1976; Fox, p. 33)
Spring: In most years had departed by 7 May, with a late departure date of 10 June, according to the Monroe County annotated list (1985). “We do not see a spring buildup so the lake does not serve as a staging area for coastal migrants moving north (Ewald and Sherony, p. 64).” Twenty on 10 April 1979 (Clarridge) were at Mendon Ponds, rather than the usual lakefront locations. (GNR)
Spring maxima: 1,000 on 1 March 1994 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 1,200 on 23 March 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 2,000 on 25 March 1982 (R. Dobson) off Payne Beach. (GNR) 2,000 on 26 March 1959 (Kemnitzer) east lakeshore. (GNR) 2,000 on 19 April 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 3,500 on 25 April 1971 (G. and B. Perrigo) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 1,500 on 27 April 1989 (P. Spindler) lakeshore. (GNR) 500 on 15 May 1966 (McNetts, Sunderlin, White) off Oklahoma Beach, a good count for so late in spring. (GNR) Summer: A very late straggler 4-21 June 1980 was at Braddock Bay (KB30: 228); another 16 July 1981 (Davids, Reister) was along the west lakeshore. (KB31: 238) Reports falling between the record late dates for spring and record early for fall show up in the noteworthies for only five of the last 23 years. However, most were from 2000 on, reflecting increased midsummer observations at Hamlin Beach SP by Bill Symonds. His observations include 2-4 all of June 2002 and singles on 26 June 2005, 25 July 2000, 20 July 2003 and 20 July 2005. Another on 1 August 1987 (Cass, S. Taylor, Griffith) was at Braddock Bay. (GNR)
Misc.
A juvenile banded at Churchill, Manitoba, on 18 July 1941 was shot from the Lake Ontario shore of Wayne County on 6 November, 1943, Bull reports. (Bull, p. 145)
Spring: In most years had departed by 7 May, with a late departure date of 10 June, according to the Monroe County annotated list (1985). “We do not see a spring buildup so the lake does not serve as a staging area for coastal migrants moving north (Ewald and Sherony, p. 64).” Twenty on 10 April 1979 (Clarridge) were at Mendon Ponds, rather than the usual lakefront locations. (GNR)
Spring maxima: 1,000 on 1 March 1994 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 1,200 on 23 March 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 2,000 on 25 March 1982 (R. Dobson) off Payne Beach. (GNR) 2,000 on 26 March 1959 (Kemnitzer) east lakeshore. (GNR) 2,000 on 19 April 1994 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 3,500 on 25 April 1971 (G. and B. Perrigo) off Oklahoma Beach. (GNR) 1,500 on 27 April 1989 (P. Spindler) lakeshore. (GNR) 500 on 15 May 1966 (McNetts, Sunderlin, White) off Oklahoma Beach, a good count for so late in spring. (GNR) Summer: A very late straggler 4-21 June 1980 was at Braddock Bay (KB30: 228); another 16 July 1981 (Davids, Reister) was along the west lakeshore. (KB31: 238) Reports falling between the record late dates for spring and record early for fall show up in the noteworthies for only five of the last 23 years. However, most were from 2000 on, reflecting increased midsummer observations at Hamlin Beach SP by Bill Symonds. His observations include 2-4 all of June 2002 and singles on 26 June 2005, 25 July 2000, 20 July 2003 and 20 July 2005. Another on 1 August 1987 (Cass, S. Taylor, Griffith) was at Braddock Bay. (GNR)
Misc.
A juvenile banded at Churchill, Manitoba, on 18 July 1941 was shot from the Lake Ontario shore of Wayne County on 6 November, 1943, Bull reports. (Bull, p. 145)
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeolaBufflehead
A small flock of Bufflehead, bobbing on the icy waters of Irondequoit Bay in midwinter, may not suggest a connection with Flickers. But there is one. This duck’s small size “has probably evolved with its habit of nesting in the holes of the Northern Flicker, an abundant resource too small to accommodate other, larger cavity-nesting ducks,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. (BNA 67:1) The relative ease and regularity with which these birds are found in winter here may, on the other hand, suggest these have always been relatively common here. But they have not. In the early 1900s, for example, when “overshooting had severely reduced (its) numbers,” Bufflehead was seen primarily as a spring and fall migrant here, and was apparently much less common in winter.
Background
Our smallest diving duck is “confined as a breeder to the boreal forest and aspen parkland of North America” – primarily in Alaska and Canada. Bufflehead will use nest boxes in addition to natural cavities. They are among the few ducks that often keep the same mate for several years, and are among the few ducks that have increased markedly since the mid 1950s. The continentwide population was estimated at 1,390,000 in 1992. They winter primarily on coastal, salt-water bays and inlets, but also inland on ponds and lakes. (BNA 67: 1, 4, 15)
Local history
“This sprightly little duck . . . was formerly supposed to be capable of dodging a gunshot,” Eaton (1910) related. He listed Bufflehead as a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, also occurring in Livingston, but did not indicate any occurrence in winter, when it was found primarily in the “southern portion” of the state. (Eaton I: 212, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to three birds, with a maximum count of only 14, on dates ranging from 20 October to 21 April.Edson, in 1943, noted they were not at all common here in winter and were apparently declining. (WBR, 1 March 1943)However, when Leo Tanghe examined sightings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954 within a 50-mile radius of Rochester, this species was reported 414 times out of 1,665 outings, trailing only the scaups, American Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser among the diving ducks. Even so, average counts were only about 7-10 birds. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B)By February 1961, John Brown wrote that Bufflehead had “become one of the commoner species on the lake.” (BA, 9 February 1961). Howard Miller that year wrote it was an “increasingly common winter duck” after Kemnitzer and Lloyd found 107 at Sodus Bay on 15 January and Listman found 50 more at Rigney’s Bluff on 4 February. (KB11: 45)Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) concurred. “This species increased in numbers during the years when partial protection was accorded it so that now it is again a common duck. It is only within the past ten years that we have had the largest counts.” (B&M, p. 142)Bull (1974) said the species “seems to have increased in recent years, especially within the last decade.” (Bull, p. 147)
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common to very common fall transient; an irregular, fairly common to very common winter visitant; a regular, fairly common spring transient and a sporadic, very rare summer visitant. Now a regular winter visitor (recorded on the January waterfowl count every year since at least 1975).Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular fairly common winter visitant and a regular common spring and fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 1 October to 27 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 October to 5 November. Subsequently, one on 24 August 1996 (K. and J. Fox) at Hamlin Beach SP was an earlier “first” of the fall migration. (GNR) Also early “firsts” of fall: one on 28 August 1994 (Davids, Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP and one on 30 August 1980 (Davids, R. Spahn) at Carlton. (GNR) In most years migrants had departed by 12 December, with a late departure date of 15 December. In fall, Ewald and Sherony report, migrants build very quickly to peak numbers late October through early November, then gradually taper off. The average fall count at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch was 1,490. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 72-3) They are also common on inland lakes. For example, it can be “easily found” on Conesus Lake as a migrant. (Fox, p. 33)
Fall maxima: 300 on 31 October 1985 (P. Weld) at Durand Eastman Park. (KB36: 21, GNR) 326 on 1 November 1994 (Ewald, Duval) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB45: 31, GNR) 1,200 were tallied 3 November 1989 (Listman) at Point Breeze when 1,500 Common Loon and 1,000 Brant and Common Goldeneye were also migrating. (LG, January 1990) 639 on 4 November 1999 (Ewald, D. Tetlow) at Hamlin Beach. (KB50: 53, GNR) 383 on 9 November 1997 (Fox) at Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 33) 1,500 on 10 November 1979 (Kemnitzer, S. Taylor) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 30:32) 300 on 17 November 1974 (R. and F. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GOS, January 1975) 300 on 27 November 1960 (R. Dobson) migrating past Hamlin Beach SP. (KB10: 179)
Winter: Bufflehead are now among the top dozen most numerous waterfowl that winter here, and can often be examined at close range at the Irondequoit Bay outlet. During that 7-year period of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, Bill Symonds spent 161 days counting waterfowl for the period 1 January to 15 March. Bufflehead were observed on 83 percent of those days, with an average count of 5 a day and a maximum of 50 on 8 February 1996. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) During the January Waterfowl Counts covering all of Region 2, Bufflehead averaged 208 – behind 10 other species – during the years 1975 to 2004, but ranged as high as 766 in 1993. This is well ahead of average tally of 54.1 during the first 10 years of the count, from 1955 to 1964.
Other winter maxima: 300 on 24 December 1994 (Mason) at Irondequoit Bay. (KB 45:114) 317 on 29 December 2007 Littles Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 311 on 15 January 1967 – 150 (O’Hara) from Braddock Bay to Charlotte, and 161 (Lloyd, mob) along the East Lakeshore. (GOS, March 1967) 450 on 16 February 2003 (Griffith) off Russell Station. (KB 53:142, GNR)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 February to 9 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 27 February to 17 March. In most years had departed by 17 May, with a late departure date of 14 June. Generally less common in spring than fall or winter.
Spring maxima: 500 on 17 April 1977 (F. and R. Dobson) off Durand-Eastman Park. (GOS, June 1977) 300 on 22 April 2007 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, June 2007) 25 on 15 May 1966 (Foster, Listman, T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay was a good tally for so late in the spring. (KB 16:158)
Summer: Summer stragglers are rare, including one 27 July 1975 no location given. (KB25: 214) Indeed, since 1984, sightings falling between record late for spring and record early for fall have been reported in only about five years, most involving females or immatures. They include individuals on 14 July 1998, 19 July 2003, 8 August 1999, 17 August 1990 and 20 August 2000.
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 February to 9 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 27 February to 17 March. In most years had departed by 17 May, with a late departure date of 14 June. Generally less common in spring than fall or winter.
Spring maxima: 500 on 17 April 1977 (F. and R. Dobson) off Durand-Eastman Park. (GOS, June 1977) 300 on 22 April 2007 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, June 2007) 25 on 15 May 1966 (Foster, Listman, T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay was a good tally for so late in the spring. (KB 16:158)
Summer: Summer stragglers are rare, including one 27 July 1975 no location given. (KB25: 214) Indeed, since 1984, sightings falling between record late for spring and record early for fall have been reported in only about five years, most involving females or immatures. They include individuals on 14 July 1998, 19 July 2003, 8 August 1999, 17 August 1990 and 20 August 2000.
Common Goldeneye
(formerly American Golden-eye)Bucephala clangulaCommon Goldeneye
Like Red-breasted Merganser below, these waterfowl put on quite a show in late winter and early spring when males and females are courting. The males among a dozen goldeneye at Round Pond on 12 March 1989, for example, “frequently arched their heads back and down against their backs, bills pointing up,” this birder wrote in his diary afterwards. This “head-throw” maneuver is part of a “spectacular and complex courtship” routine used by males from December through April, according to the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. In this case, the females, in response, “shoved their heads forward low along the water, bills pointing up. Just as one female did this, she was attacked from behind by another female.” This, too, is typical of the courtship ritual for, as the profile notes, “head-forward, a lowering and swinging of neck and head forward, is the most common female display, performed while birds are in groups in response to a leading male performing Head-throws . . .” (BNA 170:9) Background
The wings make a distinctive whistling sound when this bird is in flight. This is a cavity-nesting species, breeding worldwide in northern boreal forests. It prefers breeding at or near clear lakes with only minimal populations of fish to compete for insects, mollusks and other prey. In fact, Common Goldeneye are abundant on lakes where acid precipitation has eliminated fish populations entirely. Females commonly “dump” eggs in nests of other goldeneyes or other duck species. This is often one of the last waterfowl to move south in fall. Winters primarily at shallow coastal bays, estuaries and harbors of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but also on larger lakes and rivers as far north as open water is available. North American population was estimated at 1.25 million in 1980; numbers appear to be relatively stable. Main threat is lack of nest cavities due to logging. However, this species readily adapts to using nest boxes. (BNA 170: 1, 3, 4-5, 14-15, 18)
Local history
“It seems to delight in the coldest weather as long as its feeding grounds are not frozen over,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He listed this as a common transient and uncommon winter visitor in Monroe County, and a common winter visitor in Wayne, with no mention of occurrence in Livingston. (Eaton I: 209, county charts)There was apparently a considerable decline in sightings here in the early 1900s.R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated a count of 1,000 in 1918 but “since then 30-60 largest number reported.” Average counts were 5 to 25 on dates ranging from 3 November to 20 April.However, “this duck is always to be found on Lake Ontario, the Genesee River and other open water through the winter,” Edson noted in 1940. (WBR, 2 January 1940)By the early 1950s, this was one of the most frequently observed diving ducks here. It was reported during 566 of the 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951 through 1954, Leo Tanghe reported, and it was the diving duck most frequently found during the winter months when average counts ranged as high as 70 to 100. (KB 5: 69: 1A-2B)That continued when the January Waterfowl Count was inaugurated statewide in 1955. During the first ten years of the count, the average tally of this species in Region 2 was 2,742.6, more than double the average tally of the next closest species, the scaups. Peak count during this period was 7,002 in 1961.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, abundant winter visitant and an occasional, very rare summer visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common winter visitant, a regular common to very common spring transient, a casual very rare summer visitant and a regular common to very common fall transient on Conesus and Hemlock lakes. (Fox, p. 34)
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 29 August (1953?, 1964, 1983) to 30 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 23 October to 5 November. Fall migrants during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project – averaging about 7,000 per season – tended to move through from 29 October to 24 November. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 75-6)
Fall maxima: 667 on 29 October 1978 (RBA trip) Hamlin Beach SP. (LGNR) 1,000 on 3 November 1989 (Listman) at Point Breeze. (LG, January 1990) 700 on 4 November 1973 (N. Prosser) at Hamlin Beach SP. (GOS, January 1974) 1,000 on 5 November 1972 (R. Dobson) along the west lakeshore. (GOS, January 1973) 1,156 on 7 November 1997 (Lanzone) at Hamlin Beach. (GOS, January 1998) 1,047 on 12 November 1994 Hamlin Beach SP. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 75) 2,000 on 21 November 1982 (Davids) west lakeshore. (GNR) 1,500 on 30 November 1958 (Listman) Manitou. (GNR) Winter: Observations from the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch indicated that after the bulk of fall migrants moved through, a distinct wintering population of about 60 birds per day settled in. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 74-5) This is based on 161 days of observations by Bill Symonds for the period 1 January to 15 March. Common Goldeneye were observed on 100 percent of those days, with an average count of 58 a day and a maximum of 200 on 7 March 1995. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) Usually found in small groups rather than large rafts, feeding close to shore and on bays and ponds. However, larger groups and movements are possible.
Winter maxima: 2,000 on 3 December 1982 (Griffith) off the west lakeshore. (GOS, February 1983) 1,500 max. on 15 December 2002 (Daniels) migrating at Sodus Bay. (GNR) 1,000 on 1 January 1981 (McKinney) off the east lakeshore. (GNR) 2,500 on 18 January 1959 (Listman) Manitou. (KB 9:31) 1,000 on 18 January 2004 (Daniels) at Sodus Bay. (GOS, April 2004) 2,500 flying east to west within 45 minutes on 26 January 1961 (Listman) off Manitou. (BA, 2 February 1961; KB11: 45) 1,000 on 20 February 1958 (Listman) at Manitou Beach. (KB8:12)
Other than Mallard and Greater Scaup, this was the most common species reported on January Waterfowl Counts in Region 2 from 1975 to 2004, averaging 2,813 per count, but peaking at 6,518 in 1992, followed by 6,443 the following year.
A Livingston County maximum of 250 was recorded on Conesus Lake 14 December 1996, but several other counts of more than 200 exist, Fox notes. (Fox, p. 34) Spring: In most years had departed by 12 May, with a late departure date of 31 May, according to the Monroe County annotated list (1985). There does not appear to be an influx of spring migrants comparable to what occurs in fall. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 74)
Spring maxima: 700 on 11 March 1988 Braddock Bay. (KB 38: 196) 20 on 15 May 1966 (Foster, Listman, T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay was a “good count for so late.” (KB 16: 158, GNR) 13 on 19 May 1968 (Listman, T. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (KB 18:149, GNR) Summer: Though never documented breeding here, stray birds occasionally show up in summer. One on 30 July 1953 (Van Beurden) was at Rose’s Marsh, for example (GOS, September/October 1953), and another on 16 August (Listman) the same year at Braddock’s Bay. (GOS, September/October 1953) Since 1984, sightings falling between the record late date for spring and record early for fall have been reported in only about seven years, all in June.
Misc.
Listman spotted one on a smooth section of the “spring-swollen” Genesee River above the Court Street dam in March 1972, then watched incredulously as the duck floated closer and closer to the brink of the spillway. “Tons of muddy water were thundering down on the rocks below every second. Making no attempt to escape, over the edge went the duck into the maelstrom between the dam and Court Street bridge,” John Brown related.“Listman was sure the bird must have gone to its death under the battering waves of the rapids, but a few seconds later there was a flash of black and white wings and the goldeneye was flying back over the dam to alight again on the placid surface there.” (BA, 16 March 1972)
Spring maxima: 700 on 11 March 1988 Braddock Bay. (KB 38: 196) 20 on 15 May 1966 (Foster, Listman, T. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay was a “good count for so late.” (KB 16: 158, GNR) 13 on 19 May 1968 (Listman, T. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (KB 18:149, GNR) Summer: Though never documented breeding here, stray birds occasionally show up in summer. One on 30 July 1953 (Van Beurden) was at Rose’s Marsh, for example (GOS, September/October 1953), and another on 16 August (Listman) the same year at Braddock’s Bay. (GOS, September/October 1953) Since 1984, sightings falling between the record late date for spring and record early for fall have been reported in only about seven years, all in June.
Misc.
Listman spotted one on a smooth section of the “spring-swollen” Genesee River above the Court Street dam in March 1972, then watched incredulously as the duck floated closer and closer to the brink of the spillway. “Tons of muddy water were thundering down on the rocks below every second. Making no attempt to escape, over the edge went the duck into the maelstrom between the dam and Court Street bridge,” John Brown related.“Listman was sure the bird must have gone to its death under the battering waves of the rapids, but a few seconds later there was a flash of black and white wings and the goldeneye was flying back over the dam to alight again on the placid surface there.” (BA, 16 March 1972)
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica Howard Miller and John Foster headed for Pultneyville on 12 March 1961 in search of a reported Mute Swan – at that time a rarity in our area. They were rewarded with something that posed a much greater challenge to their birding skills: a female Barrow’s Goldeneye. As columnist John Brown noted, “identification of the female Barrow’s goldeneye is one of the more difficult problems of field ornithology since the bird is so similar to the female American goldeneye. Miller and Foster, however, were able to study the bird through a telescope in good light and compare it directly with American goldeneyes nearby. The all-yellow and stubbier, more point bill, a key field mark of the Barrow’s goldeneye, was clearly noted.” (BA, 16 March 1961)Barrow’s Goldeneye
Background
For years there was speculation that this bird of Alaska and western Canada and U.S. might also breed in arctic regions of eastern North America. Instead, a separate, small breeding population was located in the forested Laurentian Highlands in southeastern Quebec. This cavity nester breeds along interior freshwater lakes and ponds, but winters on salt water or estuaries along both coasts. Its populations appear to be stable. However, with a total world population of less than 200,000, of which 60 percent breed and winter in a single Canadian province (British Columbia), “this species warrants careful monitoring.” (BNA 548:1-2)
Local history
Eaton knew of only one record for western New York: an adult male taken on Sodus Bay in November 1904 “and presented to the author’s collection.” (Eaton, I:211) Beardslee and Mitchell, however, cite another taken as a specimen at Brockport in 1888. (B&M, p. 141) They also cite a young male taken 23 November 1911 by George Guelf at Sandy Creek north of Hamlin. Horsey does not list any occurrence of this species in his list of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) considered this a casual, very rare winter visitor. However, it has been reported almost annually since 1998.
Occurrence
In addition to those three early records, these more recent sightings have been reported. Note that this is primarily a winter visitor, with dates ranging from 14 November to 12 May: 1. Three “well-marked males” on 11 March 1934 were at the outlet of Long Pond “in a small flock of common golden-eye.” (WBR, 19 March 1934, WBR, 20 March 1961) 2. An adult male was seen either 1 or 6 April 1945 at Cranberry Pond by Leo Tanghe. (WBR, 20 March 1961) “It was only 50 feet from the observer, who could hardly have been mistaken in the identification.” (B&M, p. 141) 3. The female seen by Miller and Foster on 12 March 1961 at Pultneyville (KB 11:45). 4. An adult male and an immature male from 20 March – 4 April 1977 in the Braddock Bay area. (KB 27:151) Art Tanghe was observing ducks on Salmon Creek from the parkway bridge when he decided to give the goldeneyes a closer look for a possible Barrow’s. “Almost the first bird he looked at had a white crescent in front of the eye.” He dashed home and called several birders, who were able to observe the bird and confirm his identification. (GOS, May 1977) This male was “even more cooperative” than a Harlequin Duck that had been lingering within easy viewing distance at Russell Station that year, Chip Perrigo reported. “This bird was frequently observed courting several female Common Goldeneyes along with another suspicious female with a high forehead and paler bill.” To everyone’s surprise, an immature male Barrow’s showed up the following week. “Both birds appeared quite content displaying and feeding in the shallow channels of Salmon and Buttonwood Creeks . . .” (LG, April 1977) 5. Two males on 16 March 1981 (Kretchmer) at Braddock Bay. (KB 31:163) 6. One on 9 April 1982 (W. and S. Carlson) at Long Pond. (LGNR but not in KB) 7. One female from 31 March-7 April 1984 (S. Taylor) at Greece. (KB 34:179) 8. A male and either three females or two females and a “probable immature male” on 4-11 January 1986 (C. Cass, R. Dobson, mob) at Charlotte. (GOS, March 1986, KB 36:91) 9. A female on 21-22 January 1994 (D. Tetlow, Sherony) at Rigney Bluff. (KB 44:123) 10. An immature male 1 January 1998 (R., S. and C. Spahn) at Greece. (KB 48:144) 11. 2 immature males on 2 January 1998 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Sodus Bay. (KB 48:144) 12. One female 22 and 28 January 1998 (D. and D. Traver, Ewald) Sodus Bay. (KB 48: 144) 13. An immature male on 27 December 1999 (D. Tetlow) Sodus Bay. (KB 50:161) 14. A male 14 February 2001 (D. Tetlow) Sodus Bay. (KB 51:610) 15. An adult male 14 November 2002 (mob) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 53:49) 16. One male 21 December 2002 (J. Skelly, J. Barry) Conesus Lake. (KB 53:142) 17. A female 5 January 2003 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Sodus. (KB 53:142) 18. One 20-27 March 2004 (Symonds, mob) Kendall. (KB 54:230) 19. One 5 December 2004 (D. Tetlow) Hamlin Beach SP – 26 March 2005 Troutsburg. (KB 55:171, 270) 20. One 8 January-28 February 2006 (D. Tetlow, Davids, mob) Point Breeze. (KB 56: 150) 21. One adult male from 9-31 December 2006 (K. and J. Fox) at Point Breeze. (LG, February 2007) 22. One adult male on 2 December 2006 (Symonds, Davids, Griffith) at Hamlin Beach. (LG, February 2007) 23. One female from 28-30 December 2006 (Symonds, Sherony) at Hamlin Beach. (LG, February 2007) 24. One male all January through 17 March 2007 (mob) Point Breeze. (LG, March-May 2007) 25. One male, one female on 23 January 2007 (D. Tetlow, Davids) Sodus Bay. (LG, March 2007), then two females there on 2 February. (LG, April 2007) 26. One female 28 March 2007 (Griffith) Hamlin Beach. (LG, May 2007) 27. One male from 5 December 2007 (D. Tetlow et al) Point Breeze. (LG, February 2008)
The flurry of sightings since 1998 probably reflects the increase in winter birders and a greater willingness to tackle the challenge of separating females and immature birds from the very similar Common Goldeneye.
Misc.
A Barrow’s X Common Goldeneye was observed 16 January 2006 (J. and J. Barry) at Sodus Point. (LG, March 2006) Dave Tetlow and Mike Davids found another there 23 – “most likely the same individual” – in January and February 2007. (LG March, April 2007)
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatusHooded Merganser
“It is a beautiful sight to watch a company of these birds swimming briskly along among the lily pads, all flashing and closing their crests in time to their advance,” Eaton (1910) wrote. “Sometimes they may be seen perched motionless upon a rock or stump. If disturbed they make off down the stream, pattering the water in a long line of dimples as they dart away. Presently they rise and wheel about and a slight whirring of wings is heard as they shoot past above you like so many winged arrows.” (Eaton I: 182) Eaton’s description is as timeless as the beauty of the male Hooded Merganser. Fortunately, this species, like the Wood Duck, has benefited from the gradual reforestation of the state and appears to be increasing as a nesting duck in our region.
Background
Our smallest of the North American mergansers is the only one restricted to this continent, breeding in the eastern U.S. and Pacific Northwest, and most commonly in the forests of the Great Lakes region. This is a cavity nester, laying “unusual, almost spherically shaped eggs with disproportionately thick shells.” Surveys in Ontario province suggest this species prefers ponds with low buffering capacity, which are vulnerable to acid rain. There is no “reliable” information on its population, which tends to be highly localized. However, evidence suggests it may be increasing in some areas, and increased hunter harvest from 1961 to 1988 suggest overall populations are stable or increasing. Hunters shoot 70,000 to 100,000 each year. (BNA 98: 1, 2, 4, 13, 14)
Local history
“It is one of the four species of ducks which breed to any extent in the State as a whole,” Eaton (1910) wrote. He said this species had been known to breed occasionally in Wayne County, but listed it only as a transient in Livingston and a fairly common one in Monroe. (Eaton I: 182, county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated this was primarily a fall through spring migrant and visitor, with average counts of one to six birds, and a maximum count of 50, on dates ranging from 16 October to 20 April. He listed 13 August 1926 as a lone late summer record.However, since the 1930s, this cavity-nesting duck has benefited, like Wood Duck, from the reforestation that has occurred in New York State, and the resurgent beaver population that has created additional wetland areas. (Andrle, p. 88) When Leo Tanghe analyzed the records from 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-miles radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, this species was reported only 201 times, with nearly half the records in March and November, no sightings in June and only one in late July. (KB 5: 69: 2A-2B)In 1958 Dirck Benson described Hooded Merganser as “spotty or accidental” as a breeder along the lake plain in western New York. (GOS, March/May 1958)However, there were some good tallies of migrants at this time: Sixty on 22 November 1958 (Starling, Brummer) were on a pond at Durand-Eastman Park. (GNR) Seventy on 19 November 1960 (Rosche) were at Castile (KB10: 180) and 100 on 24 November 1970 (Listman) were at Sodus Bay. (KB21: 15) Even larger tallies are now recorded.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common spring and fall transient; and an irregular, rare summer and winter visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular fairly common to rare winter visitant, a (presumably regular) fairly common spring transient, a (presumably regular) uncommon summer resident and a regular common fall transient.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 February to 7 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 11 March to 2 April. In most years departed by 8 May, with a late departure date of 30 May.
Spring maxima: 187 on 11 March 1988 Braddock Bay. (KB 38: 196) 300 on 19 March 1989 (W. Klockner) along the west lakeshore. (GNR) 300 on 19 March 1999 (Kimball) Conesus Lake. (GNR) 150 on 26 March 1994 (Griffith, Dox-Griffith) at Greece. (GNR)
Summer/Breeding status: By 1953 Tanghe included Hooded Merganser on his list of species breeding in the Rochester area, albeit rarely, and specifically mentioned Nine Mile Point and Oatka Creek as nesting locations (GOS, May/August 1953). Bull (1974) also listed Braddock Bay and Scottsville. (Bull, p. 154) The first BBA found only scattered evidence of breeding in our region and confirmed breeding only near Avon. The following year, in 1986, an adult with nine young was at Conesus Lake (R. Dobson) in June. (GNR) However, a nest box program at Genesee Country Nature Center fledged seventy-eight in 1995. (KB 45:291). This species also breeds in Conesus Swamp and at Rattlesnake Hill WMA. “It is strongly suspected that nesting birds would be found more often if sought,” Kurt Fox has observed. (Fox, p. 34)Certainly, by the second BBA, evidence of breeding was found in five times as many blocks, with most of the increase occurring in Livingston and eastern Wayne counties.
Emanuel Levine could not help noting that “it is curious that one of (the Hooded Merganser’s) rivals in beauty among North American ducks, the Wood Duck, is also sometimes a rival for a nesting cavity.” (Andrle, p. 88)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 26 September to 20 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 October to 3 November. In most years had departed by 27 December, with a late departure date of 2 January. This is the season when this species is most easily found, staging on lakes, ponds, and bays. “This species usually appears in the local area in peak numbers in late fall just prior to the freeze-up in mid December,” Howard Miller observed in 1963. (KB13: 106) An especially impressive buildup occurred in 1978 with 400 on 23 November (Listman) from Durand Eastman to Braddock Bay and 167 the same day (R. Spahn) at Braddock Bay, then 400 the next day (Symonds) at Point Breeze and Kendall. (GNR, LGNR, KB29: 36) “Walter Listman and other veteran migration watchers could not recall ever having seen such concentrations,” John Brown reported. (BA, 29 November 1978) However, this was not a particularly numerous species during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, where the average count for an entire fall season was only 143. “For a species with a very extensive breeding range north of this great lake, this is a surprising outcome,” Ewald and Sherony noted. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 76) Other fall maxima: 476 on 15 November 1986 (D. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay. (LGNR) 1,006 on 22 November 1997 (K. Fox) at Honeoye and Conesus lakes, of which 739 were at Conesus. (Fox, p. 34) This was an increase from 542 on 15 November 1997 (K. Fox) at the two lakes. (GNR) 377 on 25 November 1985 (Symonds) Kendall. (LGNR) 350 on 1 December 1996 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (LGNR) 461 on 27 December 1998 (mob) Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 1999) 301 on 29 December 2007 Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 223 on 30 December 2006 during Little Lakes CBC at Conesus Lake. (LG, February 2007)
Winter: Recorded in Region 2 on 27 of 33 January Waterfowl Counts from 1975 to 2007, with maximum tallies of 42 in 1992 and 1997, then 158 in 2005.
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 26 September to 20 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 October to 3 November. In most years had departed by 27 December, with a late departure date of 2 January. This is the season when this species is most easily found, staging on lakes, ponds, and bays. “This species usually appears in the local area in peak numbers in late fall just prior to the freeze-up in mid December,” Howard Miller observed in 1963. (KB13: 106) An especially impressive buildup occurred in 1978 with 400 on 23 November (Listman) from Durand Eastman to Braddock Bay and 167 the same day (R. Spahn) at Braddock Bay, then 400 the next day (Symonds) at Point Breeze and Kendall. (GNR, LGNR, KB29: 36) “Walter Listman and other veteran migration watchers could not recall ever having seen such concentrations,” John Brown reported. (BA, 29 November 1978) However, this was not a particularly numerous species during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, where the average count for an entire fall season was only 143. “For a species with a very extensive breeding range north of this great lake, this is a surprising outcome,” Ewald and Sherony noted. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 76) Other fall maxima: 476 on 15 November 1986 (D. Tetlow) at Sodus Bay. (LGNR) 1,006 on 22 November 1997 (K. Fox) at Honeoye and Conesus lakes, of which 739 were at Conesus. (Fox, p. 34) This was an increase from 542 on 15 November 1997 (K. Fox) at the two lakes. (GNR) 377 on 25 November 1985 (Symonds) Kendall. (LGNR) 350 on 1 December 1996 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (LGNR) 461 on 27 December 1998 (mob) Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 1999) 301 on 29 December 2007 Little Lakes CBC. (LG, February 2008) 223 on 30 December 2006 during Little Lakes CBC at Conesus Lake. (LG, February 2007)
Winter: Recorded in Region 2 on 27 of 33 January Waterfowl Counts from 1975 to 2007, with maximum tallies of 42 in 1992 and 1997, then 158 in 2005.
Common Merganser
(formerly American Merganser)Mergus merganserCommon Merganser
“The merganser is now to be found on Lake Ontario after an absence of 33 weeks in its nesting grounds on some of the Adirondack Lakes and northward in Northern Canada,” Horsey and Edson reported in December 1931. “The male is a beautiful bird, even after death and when mounted, with its greenish black head and neck and contrasting black and white body,” they noted. But only when seen in life, could it be fully appreciated. “. . . they often are seen resting on the snow-covered ice at the edge of the water” where the white underparts “so delicately tinted with salmon pink make this bird the most beautiful of the larger water birds. The salmon pink disappears with the death of the bird or soon afterward: therefore, in order to see this bird in his full beauty, he must be observed in life and with a natural background.” (“Shy and Colorful Merganser Comes Back to Lake Ontario,” D&C, 14 December 1931) This bird, once known as the Goosander, Sheldrake, Sawbill and Wheezer or Tweezer, “usually splashes on the water with its feet when taking wing, but is a strong flier when fully under way,” Eaton (1910) wrote. “Young birds, before the wing feathers are grown, will flop and run over the water so swiftly that two men in a canoe will scarcely overtake them, and, even if overtaken, they dive so expertly that it is almost impossible to capture them.” (Eaton I:178-9)
Background This large, fish-eating duck breeds worldwide near large lakes and rivers in northern forested areas, usually nesting in tree cavities, notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. In North America its breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada south into the northeastern and much of the western U.S. It winters as far north as open water is available, most frequently on fresh water, whereas wintering Red-Breasted Merganser is more likely on salt water. Acid rain and logging pose threats to this species. However, most data suggest populations are stable or increasing in most areas. (BNA 442: 1, 3, 16-18)
Local history
Eaton (1910) listed this as a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, rare in Livingston, but an occasional summer resident in Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of two to 15 birds, with a maximum count of 300, on dates ranging from 19 October to 6 May. These birds, he added, were “apparently holding their own, at least until 1933.”When Leo Tanghe examined the records from 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951 through 1954, this species was listed 397 times, primarily November through March, with only a single late August sighting for the summer months. (KB 5: 69: 2A-2B)During the first ten years of the January Waterfowl Count, from 1955 to 1964, this was the fourth most common species reported from Region 2, averaging 415.0 per year, with a peak tally of 811 in 1957.Eaton (1910) mentioned it had bred near Little Sodus Bay. (Eaton I: 178) However, it is not listed by Tanghe among the breeding species reported for the region from 1946-1952. (GOS, May/August 1953) Nor is it mentioned by Dirck Benson in his discussion of “Breeding Ducks in Western New York” in 1958. (GOS, March/May 1958)So it is not clear whether nesting records now obtained along the Genesee River in and around Letchworth SP represent a recent expansion of this species’ breeding, or is a location where birds have bred in the past but were simply overlooked.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common fall transient; an irregular, very common winter visitant; a regular, abundant spring transient, and a casual, very rare summer visitant. This is now a regular visitor in winter.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular fairly common (sporadically very common) winter visitant, a regular fairly common (occasionally common) spring transient, a (presumably regular) uncommon local summer resident and a regular common fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 2 September (1983) to 20 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 to 25 October. Subsequently, one on 24 July 2002 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach was an even earlier “First” of fall (GNR). Also early: two on 4 August 1999 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach. (GNR) In most years migrants had departed by 18 December, with a late departure date of 30 December. Average fall count during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project was 1,823. “There is a clear buildup in fall but they continue to move past Hamlin Beach in a regular pattern throughout the fall and winter,” Ewald and Sherony wrote. “We believe that they will linger if weather remains mild but move with cold conditions.” (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 78-79)
Fall maxima: 2500 on 25 November 1999 (R. Spahn, mob) at Long Pond. (LG, January 2000)
Winter: During the 7-year period of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, Bill Symonds spent 161 days counting waterfowl for the period 1 January to 15 March. Common Mergansers were observed on 93 percent of those days, with an average count of 29 a day and a maximum of 250 on 22 February 2000. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) The mouth of the Genesee River at Lake Ontario has been a traditional wintering site for this species. Counts of three hundred have been tallied below the Mt. Morris Dam at least twice in January. (Fox, p. 35)
Subsequent JWC tallies: 351 in 2005, 237 in 2006 and 346 in 2007.
Winter maxima: 1,200 on 10 December 1994 (R. Spahn) at Long Pond. (GOS, February 1995) 3,000 on 18 December 1977 (Rochester CBC) Irondequoit Bay. (GOS, February 1978) 3,500 on 19 December 2007 (R. Spahn) Irondequoit Bay. (LG, February 2008) 5,000 on 8 January 1979 (D. and L. Skiff) on the lake off Rochester. (GOS, March 1979) 3,200 on 20 January 1980 (Lloyd, Sunderlin) at Irondequoit Bay outlet. (GOS, March 1980) 1,000 on 15 February 1958 (Starling, Miller) at Russell Station during a bitterly cold winter “when this area was almost the only place in the lake that was ice free.” (KB 8:12, GOS March/May 1958)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 13 February to 16 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 24 February to 18 March. In most years had departed by 9 May, with a late departure date of 17 June. Spring maxima: 600 on 15 March 1961 (Listman, Lloyd) along the lakeshore. (KB 11:45)
Summer/breeding status: Though it remains primarily a breeding bird of the Adirondacks and, to a lesser extent, the Catskills, it also nests on the Genesee River in and near Letchworth SP, where it finds the forested streams it favors. The two BBA projects indicate it appears to be extending its nesting locations along the Genesee River in Livingston County.
Winter maxima: 1,200 on 10 December 1994 (R. Spahn) at Long Pond. (GOS, February 1995) 3,000 on 18 December 1977 (Rochester CBC) Irondequoit Bay. (GOS, February 1978) 3,500 on 19 December 2007 (R. Spahn) Irondequoit Bay. (LG, February 2008) 5,000 on 8 January 1979 (D. and L. Skiff) on the lake off Rochester. (GOS, March 1979) 3,200 on 20 January 1980 (Lloyd, Sunderlin) at Irondequoit Bay outlet. (GOS, March 1980) 1,000 on 15 February 1958 (Starling, Miller) at Russell Station during a bitterly cold winter “when this area was almost the only place in the lake that was ice free.” (KB 8:12, GOS March/May 1958)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 13 February to 16 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 24 February to 18 March. In most years had departed by 9 May, with a late departure date of 17 June. Spring maxima: 600 on 15 March 1961 (Listman, Lloyd) along the lakeshore. (KB 11:45)
Summer/breeding status: Though it remains primarily a breeding bird of the Adirondacks and, to a lesser extent, the Catskills, it also nests on the Genesee River in and near Letchworth SP, where it finds the forested streams it favors. The two BBA projects indicate it appears to be extending its nesting locations along the Genesee River in Livingston County.
Occasionally shows up along the Lake Ontario shoreline in summer as well. For example, a female spent the summer of 1988 at Braddock Bay. (KB 38:262) Another of this species was there on 30 June 1992. (KB 42:239) Summer maxima: 31 on 17 August 1998 (Kimball, J. Fox) at Cuylerville. (KB 48:328, LGNR)
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator From late winter into spring, the odd courtship antics of these thin-billed, ragged-crested waterfowl are in evidence all along the lakeshore. On 3 April 1989, for example, this birder watched about 50 Red-breasted Mergansers that had drifted to within about 30 feet of shore off the north end of Dewey Avenue in Greece. “They were diving and chasing each other. A bizarre fanning of feathers at the back of the heads was quite prominent. Occasionally the males, and sometimes the females, would suddenly plow forward through the water for maybe 15 feet or so.”
This is described as a “sprint” in the profile of this species for The Birds of North America and involves “rushes on water creating a bow wave, wake and often spray behind the bird.” (BNA 443: 9) This birder noted that “At other times the birds would suddenly hold their heads stiffly up and out, hold this posture, and then cock their heads backward onto the tops of their backs. . . Two males did this, and a female plowed between them.” (Diary entry) Red-breasted Merganser
Background
This expert diver breeds along fresh and saltwater wetlands, in tundra and boreal forest zones near the coast, rivers and other large bodies of water across Alaska, northwest, central and eastern Canada, the upper Great Lakes and parts of New England. It winters along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts and Great Lakes. It also breeds in Europe and Asia. Though closely related to Common Merganser, it is more likely to be found in salt water, typically nests on the ground and has dark-colored down. Females produce a pungent feces which is deposited on eggs if the females are disturbed and must flee during incubation. The serrated “sawbill” helps these birds capture underwater prey. They are among the fastest flying ducks, clocked at speeds up to 130 km/hour. Fall migration produced only small flocks on Lake Erie from 1900 to the 1940s, then became larger, reaching flocks of more than 20,000 after the 1960s. BBS data suggest declining populations continentwide. (BNA 443: 1, 8, 9, 15-16)
Local history
Eaton (1910) lists this as an abundant transient and fairly common winter visitor in Monroe County, and a common transient and occasional winter visitor in Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated this species was “apparently increasing in number as a migrant.” He listed average counts of one to 10 birds on dates ranging from 9 December to 19 May, with a maximum count of 200 in 1935.It was the diving duck most often reported by Genesee Ornithological Society members when they conducted 1,665 outings within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951-1954, with 633 sightings, Leo Tanghe reported. It was reported every month except July and August, with the bulk of the sightings late October into the third week of May. Average counts reached 1,000 to 2,000 in early November. (KB 5: 69: 2A-2B)For reasons that are not clear, there was a definite drop in its occurrence here during the mid 1970s to early 1980s, as reflected in Rochester CBC and January waterfowl censuses (see charts below). But it has since rebounded.Now, large numbers of migrants congregate on Lake Ontario fall and spring. Routinely found off Russell Station outlet, feeding close to shore. Good numbers stay through winter.
Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, abundant spring and fall transient; a regular, very common winter visitant, and a sporadic, rare summer visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular fairly common to uncommon winter visitant, a (presumably regular) fairly common spring transient and a regular fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 11 September (1954) to 5 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 3 to 24 October. Subsequently, nine on 8 August 1987 (O’Hara) at Charlotte were even earlier “first of fall” arrivals. (GNR) In most years migrants had departed by 24 December, with a late departure date of 31 December. Eighteen on 25 August 1991 (Davids) along the west lakeshore was a good early-season tally. (KB 41:262)However, the bulk of the migration occurs late October to late November. Average count for the entire fall season was 19,058 during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, of which about 16,000 each season were believed to be transients, usually in homogenous flocks of 20 to 100 flying west, low and close to shore. (Ewald and Sherony, pp. 80-1) Flights seemed relatively unaffected by the passage of weather fronts. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 19)Others gather in large rafts just offshore. Frank Dobson observed a large raft of several hundred females and immatures off Durand-Eastman Park in November 1983, apparently following a school of fish. “Dozens at a time would leap forward, sleek bodies following curving necks as they dove below the surface attempting to take elusive fish.” Several surfaced with five- to six-inch fish “wiggling in their bills. Only they never had the chance to enjoy the meal,” Dobson noted.Whenever a merganser surfaced, the bird was “immediately pounced upon by one or more gulls” which would dislodge the fish, causing a mad scramble for the loose prey. “I think the freed fish managed to swim away, for I never saw a gull catch one.” (Birds, 27 November 1983)
Fall maxima: 10,000+ on 2 November 1980 (Sherony, R. Spahn) off Greece was a “typical peak for migration.” (KB31: 26, GNR) 10,000 on 3 November 1978 (R. and S. Spahn) off Durand-Eastman Park. (GNR) 10,000 on 5 November 1960 (Listman) along the west lakeshore. (KB10: 180) 10,000 on 10 November 2003 (Symonds) off Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) 8,000 on 13 November 1971 (Listman) off Manitou. (GOS January 1972) 8,000 on 14 November 1953 (Van Beurden) along the lakeshore. (GOS November-December 1953) 7,885 on 19 November 1997 (Lanzone) Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 48:48) 10,000 on 26 November 2005 (R. and S. Spahn) at Irondequoit Bay. (LG, January 2006)
Good numbers also congregate on Conesus, Hemlock, and other inland lakes.
Winter: Less numerous but still regular during winter. During the 161 days Bill Symonds conducted a January to mid-March lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP from 1994-2000, he recorded this species every day, averaging 76 birds. His maximum count was 410 on 26 February 1996. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 20) Another good observation point in winter is the discharge of warm water into the lake at Russell Station power plant in Greece. Marty Robinson was birding from his car there on 25 January 1987 when “the bend in a fishing rod and the gathering of a few people told me that some lucky fisherman had a fish on.” Instead, when Robinson wandered over to investigate, “the fisherman had just finished unhooking and was in the process of releasing a Red-breasted Merganser!” It had eaten the minnow he was using for bait. (LG, February 1987)
Winter maxima: 5,800 on 15 February 2005 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (LG, April 2005)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 2 March to 23 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 March to 11 April. In most years had departed by 28 May, with a late departure date of 30 June. Large numbers again gather in spring. On 20 April 1960, the same day he caught a “tremendous loon flight” on the lake, Allen Kemnitzer estimated there were 15,000 Red-breasted Mergansers between Webster Park and Sodus Point. (BA, 21 April 1960)
Spring maxima: 6,000 on 15 April 1978 (Sunderlin, Lloyd, A. and J. Watson) Irondequoit Bay. (KB28:170) 8,000 on 16 April 1960 (R. Dobson) east lakeshore. (GOS March-July 1960) 8,000 on 22 April 1979 (F. and R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GNR) 12,000 on 27 April 1952 (Listman) lakeshore. (GOS May/August 1952) 10,000 on 27 April 1965 (Listman) off Manitou. (KB15: 165)
25 on 3 June 1983 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP was “a high count for such a late spring date” (KB33: 267) as were 18 on 15 June 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) Summer/Breeding status: Sightings between the record late dates for spring and record early for fall are rare. Three in summer 1975 could be seen cruising off Manitou Beach and roosting on the old stone piers there (BA, 9 July 1975); as many as five spent that July at Braddock Bay. (LG, August 1975) Another on 5 August 1983 (Davids) was at Braddock Bay. (GNR)However, since 1984, there have been summer records in only four years, all in July, including one to five all that month in 2000 at Hamlin Beach, and one to six there 1-31 July the following year. (LGNR) This species has been known to breed on Long Island, Lake Champlain, in the North Country and at the east end of Lake Ontario. Though not confirmed breeding in our region, a pair found in Wayne County in June 2000 gave us a block with probable breeding during the second BBA project. (KB 50:401)
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 2 March to 23 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 20 March to 11 April. In most years had departed by 28 May, with a late departure date of 30 June. Large numbers again gather in spring. On 20 April 1960, the same day he caught a “tremendous loon flight” on the lake, Allen Kemnitzer estimated there were 15,000 Red-breasted Mergansers between Webster Park and Sodus Point. (BA, 21 April 1960)
Spring maxima: 6,000 on 15 April 1978 (Sunderlin, Lloyd, A. and J. Watson) Irondequoit Bay. (KB28:170) 8,000 on 16 April 1960 (R. Dobson) east lakeshore. (GOS March-July 1960) 8,000 on 22 April 1979 (F. and R. Dobson) west lakeshore. (GNR) 12,000 on 27 April 1952 (Listman) lakeshore. (GOS May/August 1952) 10,000 on 27 April 1965 (Listman) off Manitou. (KB15: 165)
25 on 3 June 1983 (Symonds) at Hamlin Beach SP was “a high count for such a late spring date” (KB33: 267) as were 18 on 15 June 1995 (Symonds) Hamlin Beach SP. (GNR) Summer/Breeding status: Sightings between the record late dates for spring and record early for fall are rare. Three in summer 1975 could be seen cruising off Manitou Beach and roosting on the old stone piers there (BA, 9 July 1975); as many as five spent that July at Braddock Bay. (LG, August 1975) Another on 5 August 1983 (Davids) was at Braddock Bay. (GNR)However, since 1984, there have been summer records in only four years, all in July, including one to five all that month in 2000 at Hamlin Beach, and one to six there 1-31 July the following year. (LGNR) This species has been known to breed on Long Island, Lake Champlain, in the North Country and at the east end of Lake Ontario. Though not confirmed breeding in our region, a pair found in Wayne County in June 2000 gave us a block with probable breeding during the second BBA project. (KB 50:401)
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisRuddy Duck
Amid hundreds of ducks on Braddock Bay in April 1982, there were at least two Ruddy Ducks – small, perky waterfowl that are unmistakable when seen with tails pointed upright. Frank Dobson thought it “comical” to watch the two “drifting lazily, with heads tucked under wing,” only to be “rudely awakened when they suddenly collided with a cattail clump.” (Birds, 18 April 1982) “This curious little duck is so unlike our other sea ducks, both in the structure of its bill, its general build, its spiny tail and its habits that it has been given a great number of local names,” Eaton (1910) noted. They included: Dumpling duck, Sleepy-head, Booby-coot, Hickory-head, Chunk duck and Paddy-whack! (Eaton I: 226) Edson wrote that the “The little ruddy duck . . . is good for a real thrill whenever seen. The chunky shape, small size, the bright blue bill, and the male with his rufous-chestnut back and the habit of the jauntily upturned tail sets him apart from all other ducks. . . . When danger threatens the ruddy duck will dive and hide among the vegetation, but if that is impractical it will after patering over the water a short distance take to the air with rapidly whirring wings and low straight flight which reminds one of an enormous bumblebee.” (WBR, 15 October 1940) Birders still delight in seeing these ducks, which is all the more interesting because they are generally disdained by hunters, and are considered an introduced “pest” in Europe. (BNA 696: 1) Background
This pugnacious waterfowl is nonetheless one of the most interesting and unusual ducks in North America. The courtship antics are particularly unique. Heaviest breeding densities – representing as much as 86 percent of the population – are in the Prairie Pothole region, with wintering birds congregating in saline coastal habitats or on large inland lakes. Captive birds escaped in England in 1952 and have spread onto the European mainland. There has been a reduction in breeding populations on the Great Lakes, otherwise, this species appears to be stable or increasing over most of its range. (BNA: 696: 1-3, 5)
Local history
Eaton (1910) listed this as a fairly common transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, also occurring in Livingston, and a rare summer resident in Monroe. (Eaton I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated there had been one record, in 1914, and then was reported yearly after 1933, but only one to three birds at a time on dates ranging from 8 April to 23 May and from 21 October to 26 November. Indeed, prior to the 1940s this was a “decidedly uncommon” duck over much of the state, Bull (1974) reported. (Bull, p. 160) Beardslee and Mitchell also noted “by the late thirties it had become uncommon to rare.” (B&M, p. 151) So 97 on 13 November 1948 (Wolf) at Conesus Lake was a particularly good tally. (GNR)When Leo Tanghe tallied up sightings from 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members within a 50-mile radius of Rochester from 1951 through 1954, this was still one of the least reported species, with only 110 records. Forty of the records were in April, 18 in October. There was only a single individual reported for January through early March, but four sightings late June through early August, including groups of 3-5 birds. (KB 5: 69: 2A-2B)Only recently had it become numerous in a few locations, such as Montezuma NWR, Bull related in the mid 1970s. (Bull, p. 160) Status
Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, uncommon fall transient; an occasional, very rare winter visitant; a regular, fairly common spring transient, and a sporadic, very rare summer visitant.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this an irregular uncommon winter visitant, a (presumably irregular) uncommon spring transient and a (presumably regular) uncommon to fairly common fall transient.
Occurrence
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 25 September to 12 November, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 11 to 29 October. In most years had departed by 22 December, with a late departure date of 2 January.Gathers primarily on ponds, bays and inland lakes. Indeed, during the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch project, this species did “not appear to be a regular migrant on Lake Ontario in fall, with (only) one to three seen annually.” The exception was in 1997, when 22 were seen, 13 in one flock. (Ewald and Sherony, p. 80)Note the exceptional tallies in October and November 1999 in the Silver Lake area.
Fall maxima: 59 on 10 October 1996 (Griffith) at Long Pond. (LG, November 1996) 90 on 13 October 2005 at Braddock Bay. (KB 56:68) 90 on 23 October 1999 (K. Fox) at Lake LaGrange, Wyoming County. (LG, December 1999) 109 on 27 October 1999 (R. Rosche) at Lake LaGrange and Silver Lake. (Little Gull, December 1999) 109 on 9 November 1997 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (Fox, p. 35) 257 on 14 November 1999 (R. Rosche) at Silver Lake and Wyoming. (KB 50:53, LGNR) 301 on 20 November 1999 (K. Fox) at Conesus Lake. (KB 50:53). 243 on 23 November 1997 at Silver Lake. (KB 48:48) 79 on 16 December 2006 (Letchworth-Silver Lake CBC) at Silver Lake. (LG, February 2007) 30 on 19 December 1998 (K. Fox) Lake Leroy, Perry. (KB 49:146, LGNR) 30 on 24 December 1999 (K. Fox) Conesus Lake. (KB 50: 161, LGNR)
Winter: Tanghe, surveying Genesee Ornithological Society outings from 1951-1954, could find only one sighting in January – a single bird – and none in February. (KB 5:69: 2A)Since 1984, there have been only about nine reports falling between the record late date for fall, and record early for spring, eight in January and one in February.Recorded in our region on 13 of the 33 January Waterfowl Counts conducted from 1975 to 2007, all but two years since 1997. Most totals in the single numbers, but a peak tally of 17 in 1976.
Winter maxima: 12 on 6 January 2006 (Davids, D. Tetlow) at Conesus Lake. (LG, March 2006) 15 on 13 January 1976 (Claffey, J. Skelly) at Conesus Lake. (KB 26:102, LGNR) Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 3 March to 27 April, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 21 March to 14 April. Subsequently, one on 28 February 1997 (mob) at Braddock Bay was an earlier “first” of spring. (GNR) In most years had departed by 30 May, with a late departure date of 5 June.
Spring maxima: 22 on 26 March 2004 Braddock Bay. (KB 54: 230) 33 on 4 April 1999 (Griffith) at Braddock Bay. (LG, June 1999) 36 on 14 April 1977 (Klonick) at Manitou, Carlton. (GOS, June 1977) 30 on 21 April 1976 (Dutcher) at Durand Eastman Park. (LG, May 1976) 29 on 21 April 2000 (Guerard) Braddock Bay. (GNR) 25 on 27 April 1958 (Kemnitzer, Listman) east lakeshore. (GNR) Summer/breeding status: The Ruddy Duck is a rare and local breeder in New York. First nesting in the state was reported on 30 May 1891, when a pair and five to six unfledged young were at the mouth of Sandy Creek, Hamlin. (Bull, p. 163; Andrle, p. 94) Eaton suspected but could never prove breeding in the cattail marshes along Buck Pond in Greece, after seeing birds there in May and June “under circumstances which led me to believe that they were nesting in that locality.” (Eaton, I: 225) Edson revived that speculation after a pair was seen on 25 June 1953 at Long Pond. (WBR, 6 July 1953) The first BBA found no evidence of breeding in our region. Closest breeding was a single nest at Montezuma NWR. (Andrle, pp. 94-5)However, during the second BBA project, probable breeding was reported in one of the Silver Lake blocks and near Geneseo, and just outside our region near Batavia and in Ontario County.Since 1984, reports of this species between the record late date for spring, and record early for fall, have occurred in only seven years, including three reports during June-September of 2006. (GNR, LG)
Misc.
A rare dark morph of this species was reported on 29 April 2004 (Lowrey, mob) at Braddock Bay. (LGNR)
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