Migration Update
March 3, 2008
Spring is slowly making its way north. Warmer temperatures last week melted nearly all of the snow. Much of the shallower portions of the large wetland units have opened up, along with all of the small temporary and seasonal wetlands. Large numbers of northern pintails have arrived, along with the first green winged teal, redheads, canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, and snow geese. Many of the trumpeter swans have returned. They will spend another month or more here feeding heavily, before returning to a sandhills marsh to nest and raise cygnets. Large numbers of small Canada geese were seen migrating through the area over the weekend. The bald eagle has begun incubation at the nest and her mate can be seen bringing her food at times. The Canada geese have begun the process of determining who gets to nest on which muskrat house. The large concentrations of ring-necked pheasants have begun to disperse and individual roosters can be seen laying claim to prime pieces of real estate. The first flocks of red winged blackbirds have arrived and are making ready for the courtship and nesting activities to come. Spring is a busy time of year for refuge staff. All of the food resources grown over the last year will slowly be flooded for migrating birds by placing boards in water control structures. As each new area is flooded, thousands of ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other waterbirds arrive to take part in the bounty. They rest, feed, and refuel before continuing their migration north. Some will stay to nest here. Prescribed burning will also begin in the next few weeks. Spring often brings muddy road conditions to the area. The main refuge road, accessed 1 mile west of Tuthill, is often the best route of travel when the roads are muddy. Call refuge headquarters if you have questions on current road conditions. Enjoy your visit!
Thinking of making a trip to Lacreek NWR? Check out the latest weather forecast for the Lacreek area at http://www.weather.com/weather/local/57551
Previous Migration Updates:
February 10, 2008
January 10, 2008
January 7, 2008
December 14, 2007
November 28, 2007
November 16, 2007
October 23, 2007
September 28, 2007
August 1, 2007
June 8, 2007
May 7, 2007
April 9, 2007
March 5, 2007
January 5, 2007
December 4, 2006
November 15, 2006
October 10, 2006
September 20, 2006
July 27, 2006
May 17, 2006
April 5, 2006
March 24,
2006
January
6, 2006
November
16-20, 2005
Apr 07 2003
Jan 16 2003
Jan 07 2003
Nov 15 2002
Nov 4 2002
Oct 24 2002
Oct 01 2002
Spring 2002
Fall/Winter 2001
