Due to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the St Lawrence waterway in Canada, an estimated 5-15% of nesting eider females died this year, negatively impacting the eider population, likely for several years. [Read more…] about Eiders Hit Hard By Avian Influenza; Little Response From DEC
waterfowl
Canada Goose Migration: Where Are They Going?
The musical honking of Canada geese and their V-shaped flocks streaming overhead are classic signs of autumn. I hear the clamor of geese as they fly low over my house, preparing to land in the hayfield in our valley.
Sometimes I spot the large, black-necked birds before they take off to continue their journey. Where are they coming from, I wonder, and where are they going? [Read more…] about Canada Goose Migration: Where Are They Going?
Dire News From 2022 State of the Birds Report
A newly released State of the Birds Report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. Long-term trends of waterfowl show strong increases where investments in wetland conservation have improved conditions for birds and people. But data show birds in the United States are declining overall in every other habitat — forests, grasslands, deserts, and oceans. [Read more…] about Dire News From 2022 State of the Birds Report
Wildlife Mosaics: Paddling Freshwater Marshes
Sunlight glinted off the water as we paddled our canoe along a winding channel which led through a marsh of tall grasses and wild rice. Two white, long-legged birds – great egrets – stalked the shallow water, poised to spear fish with their pointed bills. A bald eagle landed in a tree, squawking as it joined its mate. After four miles of canoeing down the Missisquoi River in northwestern Vermont we had reached the point where the river enters Lake Champlain. [Read more…] about Wildlife Mosaics: Paddling Freshwater Marshes
Duck Nesting Season Is In Full Swing
Throughout northeastern North America, ducks are setting up nests and hatching out ducklings. New York State’s
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is in the first year of a four-year effort to better understand mallard movements and how they affect their breeding success. [Read more…] about Duck Nesting Season Is In Full Swing
Birding Spotlight: Long Island’s Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, a 187-acre peninsula on Long Island‘s Noyack and Little Peconic Bays, boasts exceptionally diverse birding habitats. Sandy and rocky beaches fringe the peninsula, while wooded bluffs overlook the bays. The refuge consists of upland forest, fields, ponds, salt marsh, beach, and a lagoon. [Read more…] about Birding Spotlight: Long Island’s Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Birding Events at Crown Point State Historic Site
Crown Point State Historic Site has announced the return of Crown Point Banding Station recording migration data on site for its 47th year. Due to the location under the Atlantic Flyway, the site is a premiere location for viewing birds migrating north for the season. [Read more…] about Birding Events at Crown Point State Historic Site
Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been found in multiple wild bird species in several areas of New York State.
No known HPAI human infections are documented in the U.S., and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent cases of HPAI do not present an immediate public health concern for most people. However, people in contact with known infected or possibly infected birds should take precautions to protect against infection and avian researchers are concerned that bird baths and bird feeders can help spread the virus and are asking that they be taken down for a few months. [Read more…] about Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders
Banding Study Hopes To Understand Mallard Declines
Over the past 20 years, mallard populations in New York and the Northeast have declined significantly, leading to limits on hunting them starting in 2018.
To understand what factors may be contributing to the decline, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Pennsylvania Game Commission, Ducks Unlimited, SUNY Brockport, and the University of Saskatchewan partnered with 22 state, federal, and non-governmental organizations to start one of the largest telemetry projects ever conducted in North America. [Read more…] about Banding Study Hopes To Understand Mallard Declines
Colorful Wood Ducks Returning To The Northeast
I’ve seen all kinds of birds on the wooded New Hampshire hilltop where I live, but never – until recently – a duck. So when I spotted a pair of wood ducks loitering in my yard one spring morning, I reached for the binoculars.
A closer look revealed these were indeed Aix sponsa, newly returned from their wintering grounds. Most likely it was the pair I had seen on the pond a mile from my house. But what, I wondered, were these dabbling ducks doing up here? [Read more…] about Colorful Wood Ducks Returning To The Northeast