[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Wintering ducks begin to arrive in Wake Cty



I've noticed fairly good numbers of ducks on Brier Creek Reservoir within
the past week or so as well. I haven't had my binoculars in the car though,
so I can't tell what they are. They used to have bunches of Ring-necks,
Ruddies, and Hooded Mergansers, but since the new arm of Aviation Pkwy(?)
was completed, I haven't seen even close to the numbers of before.

There's also good numbers of herons and egrets on that pond next to Lake
Crabtree that's right beside Aviation Pkwy(?). Many GBHs and Great Egrets
and maybe some other stuff in there too.

Roger Shaw
Raleigh, NC

----- Original Message -----
From: <steven.shultz@unifi.com>
To: <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 11:30 AM
Subject: Wintering ducks begin to arrive in Wake Cty


> Although present on the coast for some weeks now, wintering ducks are
> beginning to arrive on the ponds and lakes in southern Wake County.
> Among the recent arrivals...
>
> 10 Ruddy Duck- 11/1 Lochmere subdivision, Cary
> 11 N. Shoveler - 10/15 restricted access impoundment, Raleigh
> 3 Ring-necked Duck- 10/31 West Lake pond, Apex, 10/15 restricted access
> impoundment, Raleigh (2)
>
> Lesser Scaup and wigeon should be in any day now!
>
> A preliminary look at the historical hotspots:
>
> Lake Wheeler has suffered a massive reduction in wintering ducks in recent
> years, probably due to the introduction of the grass carp to combat
> hydrilla.  Most of the area ducks only move to Wheeler when other areas
> freeze over.  Wheeler usually holds Ruddy and Hooded Merganser throughout
> the season.
>
> West Lake ponds look to have survived the rapid development across the
> street and are beginning to attract ducks.  West Lake pond is the place
for
> wintering Canvasback in the area.
>
> Greenview Pond looks to have another poor year.  It just has not been the
> same since the "improvements" made season before last.  Ducks do not
appear
> to use the newly reworked impoundment, which previously hosted hundreds of
> birds.  The previously productive beaver pond area has been dry since the
> July 4 rains broke the dam.  There are additional impounded areas for
> waterfowl to use, but these are not visible from the road.
>
> 1010 pond (corner of Lake Wheeler Rd. and 1010 Rd)- A popular wintering
> spot for American Wigeon.  No change from previous years.
>
> NCSU Dairy Pond- The dairy farm, as well as the rest of the NCSU research
> farms, continue to remain closed to casual visitors due to the Hoof (Foot)
> and Mouth disease threat.  Restrictions will probably remain in place
> throughout the season.  Under no circumstances should birds enter the
> property without prior written permission.
>
> Yates Mill Pond-  Restricted access although observers may be able to view
> the pond from the road shoulder.  No ducks yet, but Hooded Mergansers
> regularly breed in the Wood Duck boxes and are usually fairly reliable
year
> round.
>
> Hoping for a good season!
> Steve Shultz
> Cary, NC
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
> which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
> material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
> taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
> entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.   If you
received
> this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any
> computer.
>