Since the lake was drawn down during the cold spell to kill the New Zealand Mud snails, we have noticed a dramatic decrease of birds in the southern half of the lake. We see few, if any, wigeons, gadwalls, mallards, Canada geese, and pintail in it. We are still seeing buffleheads and ring-necked ducks but by no means the usual number. Saw five Ruddy Ducks today which is nice.

In the satellite ponds at the south end, we are seeing plenty of mallards, some gadwall, green-winged teal, and a few pintail and wigeons. Some hooded and common merganser near and south of the I5 bridge are still to be seen.

Anyone know what has happened to the usual crowd? Since the birds that are missing tend to be the vegetation-eating waterfowl, we are wondering whether the draw-down of the lake killed both the snails and the vegetation usually eaten by these birds.

Deborah
Olympia
olyclarinetatgmaildotcom