Most of South Dakota and other parts of the Great Plains were in heavy
drought this spring, which could have affected Redheads and
Canvasbacks. We saw very few of them this summer.

dan tallman
aberdeen, sd


On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 15:03:00 -0800, Guttman, Burt
<guttmanb at evergreen.edu> wrote:
>
>
> Jason, I'm not attacking the area; I think it's great, and that's why I like
> to take people on walks around there. But there has clearly been a decline
> in numbers and variety. Even last year I was able to find Redheads,
> Canvasback, and Ring-necks in the southern basin, but the area had
> relatively few ducks yesterday.
>
> I know how to find the Green-winged Teal, but they just weren't there.
> However, another friend has said she did find them two weeks ago "just
> around the corner" in the Tumwater Historical Park on the other side of I-5.
> Also, I know the goldeneyes are often at the south end of the southern
> basin, but they weren't there. I'm hoping for better luck on Saturday.
>
> My experience with Percival Cove is different from yours. I always expect
> to find Mallards in the northern shallows, Hooded Mergansers just south of
> them, and lots of Wigeons in the larger area farther south. But no such
> luck yesterday. It's taht kind of upset in the usual pattern that makes me
> wonder what's going on.
>
> Since we live on Long Lake, I know about the broader distribution of water
> birds in the area. We have our usual huge flock of Coots (and why none at
> Capital Lake?), Wigeons, and other usual goodies. But for the bird walks I
> do, I need to find goodies at Capitol Lake or out near KGY.
>
> I haven't heard about serious troubles in the Canadian-Alaskan region where
> most of these birds breed, but if the whole planet is generally going to
> hell and becoming more polluted with hormonal disruptors, I guess this is
> what we can expect to see here in the winter. But I really had been hoping
> the next generation or two would actually be able to see birds other than
> Crows and English Sparrows. <sigh>
>
>
> Burt Guttman
> The Evergreen State College
> Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu
> Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503
>
> ________________________________
> From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu on behalf of Jason Paulios
> Sent: Tue 11/23/2004 10:12 PM
> To: Tweeters
> Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Olympia Waterways today
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Burt and Tweeters, I feel the need to rise to the defense of my adopted
> downtown Oly haunts (at least half-heartedly). I will begin by saying that
> I have to listen to Keith Brady talk about the "good old days" quite often,
> so I'm aware of the decline of Western Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Barrow's
> Goldeneyes and others in East and West Bay. And it's nothing like it was a
> decade ago (or so I'm told and have read). BUT...
>
> Green-winged Teal - These are often in the area you are describing but I
> would never say they could be "counted on". If you scope the far shoreline
> opposite the interpretive center they can be found hiding out there. If you
> get to the interpretive center ponds after the walkers have emerged from
> their Outbacks, you will not find the more skittish waterfowl. This pond
> has been great for close looks at Hooded Merganser lately, there was a
> juvenile Green Heron here for over a week in October (a good spot for this
> species locally in winter months). You can also try the park on the other
> side of I-5 at the base of Tumwater Falls, sometimes the teal head over here
> for some peace and quiet (assumed).
>
> Ring-necked Ducks are usually on Percival Cove. If they aren't here then
> that's because they have jumped across the road to join the Scaup flocks
> closer to the railroad.
>
> Earlier this month (I haven't been getting out much lately) Common
> Goldeneyes were at the south end of the lake. They are also usually (last
> winter) at the railroad crossing. I usually see Barrow's Goldeneye from the
> KGY site looking west towards Reliable Steel, against the shoreline. I
> haven't noticed any Barrow's yet, but then I haven't been out to look.
>
> Last month had at least two Redhead in with the scaup flock on the south
> end. At the same period there were Canvasbacks on both ends of the lake.
> Also check the north end of the lake from Marathon Park for grebes
> (double-digit P/Billeds, 1 Eared has been around, Horned, 1 Western last
> month, 1 Clark's last month).
>
> As for variety, if I want to see lots of different waterbirds in a day I
> usually do a lap of Capitol Lake, check North Point/KGY quickly and then
> buzz out to Luhr Beach. With this route you have the possibility of seeing
> all expected waterfowl plus Thurston toughies like L/T Duck, Black Scoter,
> Harlequin Duck and Smew (o.k. I've been daydreaming lately). Kelly
> McAllister might be able to fill us in on the larger Thurston freshwater
> lake numbers, though I've found access difficult at most.
>
> Jason Paulios
> Jpaulios at earthlink.net
> Olympia, WA
>
>
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>


--
Dan or Erika Tallman
danerika at gmail.com
Box 740, Northern State University, Aberdeen SD 57401

".... the best shod travel with wet feet"
"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau