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Wake waterfowl update and site status - long



Thanksgiving usually marks the beginning of the waterfowl season here in
southern Wake County, NC.  The first rafts of wintering ducks are in,
although migrants starting showing up about a month ago.  Many of those
ducks moved on through, but from now through February most of the wintering
species should be present.  Here's a rundown of the types and numbers seen
today, as well as my thoughts on each site.  All of these locations can be
found using the directions posted on Will Cook's website at
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/tbg/

West Lake Pond- This is the one of the most reliable locations in the area
for Canvasback, which are uncommon elsewhere.  Low water levels over the
summer seem to have allowed for a bumper crop of aquatic plants, and the
recent construction near the pond does not seem to have affected the ducks.
The pond used to be open to public fishing, and thus birders could walk
around the perimeter to view the birds.  The pond is now posted and viewing
should only be done from the road shoulder.  There is an ample pulloff that
can hold several cars.

Today's birds included: 178 Ring Necked Ducks, 17 American Wigeon, 3
Canvasback, 1 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 12 Bufflehead, and 5 Ruddy Ducks

1010 Pond- This little pond is famous for hosting a Eurasian Wigeon a few
years back, and is quite reliable for American Wigeon.  Today Ring-necks
ruled the roost with about 60 followed by smaller numbers of American Wigeon
and Hooded Merganser.  Someone has a spead of Redhead and pintail decoys set
on the pond, so if hunting actually occurs don't be surprised to find the
plastic ducks the only ones present.

NCSU Dairy Pond- This tiny pond is quite reliable for Lesser Scaup, and
later in the season for Northern Shoveler.  Sometimes unusual birds show up
as well like Greater Scaup or Common Goldeneye.  Today the pond was a bit
bare with only a few scaup, 15 or so Bufflehead, and some ruddy Ducks.
Visitors need a permit to enter the property.  Permits can be acquired from
the field office building 1/2 mile north of the dairy unit on the west side
of Lake Wheeler Road.

Yates Mill Pond-  Destroyed by Fran, YMP is now back in business after the
washed out dam was rebuilt a few years back.  The millpond is usually pretty
good for Hooded Merganser, and sometimes a few divers or dabblers join the
feral mallards that oftem hang out here.  The pond held no ducks today, but
should be checked if you are stopping at the nearby NCSU pond.  Access is
limited to viewing from the road shoulder  A new park is being built that
will allow much greater access in the future, but probably decrease the
number of birds using the pond as human activity increases.

Lake Wheeler- I've heard stories of the number of ducks that used to winter
on Wheeler.  That was before year round boating and the nefarious grass
carp.  The carp have pretty well cleaned the lake out as far as aquatic
vegetation goes, and few ducks are to be found.  A few Ruddy Ducks eke out
an existence, but the lake will probably be empty otherwise unless the local
ponds freeze over.  When this occurs Wheeler can host a large number of
waterfowl, at least until the other areas melt.  Nonetheless, scoping the
lake is not a bad idea as something interesting could show up.

Greenview Pond-  This used to be the premier ducking spot in the area.  A
good day would have 400-600 birds of several species.  Greenview now suffers
from a triple whammy.  The area was chosen as a wetlands mitigation site and
was thus "improved" by a state agency.  The improvements have not resulted
in the area being very attractive to ducks, and normally none will be found
on the impoundment closest to Blaney Franks Road.  I was encouraged to see 7
Hooded Mergansers there today, the first ducks I've seen in 2 years.  The
shallow beaver impoundments immediately upstream from the DOT site were
destroyed when a terrific summer storm washed out the beaver dams a year and
a half ago.  The beavers themselves got wiped out by some unchecked dogs,
and thus most of the upper impoundment is now shrubbery.  Nonetheless, there
are still small areas of open water, and this spot is the best around for
Green-winged Teal.   The brush around the area is good for sparrows
including the uncommon White-Crowned.  Carolinabirder John Argentati usually
has several in his backyard each winter!  I believe the local Audubon group
has plans for the site, and am confident that in future years Greenview will
once again take top honors.

Lake Johnson- This urban lake is also a good spot for Canvasback.  The Wood
Duck have almost become tame as well, so if no Canvasback are present, at
least you can have fun with the woodies.  I don't often stop here because
it's a little out of my way, but good birds have shown up in the past, and
it probably worth a stop for anyone heading over this way to sort through
ducks.

Have a great winter, and if anyone wants to ride around one morning and look
at the ducks, let me know!

Steve Shultz
Apex, NC