Migration Update March 27, 2008
Winter is slowly giving way to spring at Lacreek NWR. A steady progression of new species are arriving, and it seems each day a new species is spotted by staff. This week, the first long billed curlews, American white pelicans and greater yellowlegs were spotted. Great blue herons have returned to the marshes, and many can be spotted repairing nests in the rookery on the north nesting island. Western and eastern meadowlarks have returned in large numbers and on calm mornings can be heared singing across the refuge, along with the first chorus frogs. The female bald eagle can still be seen incubating and we expect to have eaglets hatching within the next 10 days. The male bald eagle is often spotted bringing a prairie dog or other prey item back to the nest. A significant number of short eared owls and northern harriers are currently on the refuge, and frequently are spotted flying off with a meadow vole or other small mammal. It appears that the population of voles is high this year. Large numbers of waterfowl are currently staging on the refuge, with thousands of northern pintails found in all of our shallow wetland units. A few of the late arriving waterfowl, such as northern shovelers, have just arrived, and others, such as blue winged teal, are not here yet. A large number of trumpeter swans remain, and many can be spotted from the tour loop. Courtship activities are in full swing for the the trumpeters. After the long winter, dozens of muskrats and beavers can be spotted in the marshes repairing lodges and replenishing food stores. Enjoy your visit!
Date 3/24/2008
Observer(s): Comeau/Laux
Weather: 50 degrees, 20 mpg wind, 30% cloud cover
Start: 1:00 PM
End: 17:30
| Species | 1 |
4 | 5 | 6 | 6E | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9A | 10 | 11 | Project | Hazel Pond | Total |
| Blue winged teal | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Mallard | 20 |
16 |
0 |
21 |
18 |
3519 |
253 |
18 |
50 |
1250 |
2 |
16 |
10 |
5193 |
| Gadwall | 35 |
1 |
2 |
657 |
0 |
1845 |
32 |
11 |
19 |
1250 |
0 |
630 |
0 |
4482 |
| Northern pintail | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9461 |
62 |
0 |
33 |
2500 |
0 |
90 |
0 |
12146 |
| Northern shoveler | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
| Green winged teal | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
82 |
0 |
500 |
0 |
0 |
140 |
0 |
776 |
| American widgeon | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
170 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
55 |
0 |
225 |
| Wood Duck | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
| Red head | 0 |
22 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
61 |
1000 |
0 |
1141 |
| Canvasback | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
| Ring necked duck | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Lesser scaup | 0 |
12 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
117 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
138 |
| Ruddy duck | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Trumpeter Swan | 0 |
0 |
109 |
35 |
0 |
44 |
3 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
218 |
| Canada goose | 0 |
0 |
4 |
25 |
6 |
1377 |
18 |
142 |
158 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1734 |
| American goldeneye | 0 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
| Baffle head | 0 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
| Hooded merganser | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Snow goose | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Greater white front | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
75 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
91 |
| Common merganser | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
| Total | 26261 |
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
Migration Updates:
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
