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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
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