Migration Update May 13, 2008
Cool and wet weather has continued well into May. We had a hard frost last week, with the possibility of freezing weather at night this week. It looks like some of the plum blossoms survived, but many are turning brown from the frost. In spite of the cool temperatures, the cool season grasses and sedges have greened up. Refuge Biologists have begun nest dragging to determine nesting success for waterfowl and other grassland bird species. They report that nesting activity is much slower than last year at this time, even though the recent pair counts were up significantly over last year. The shorebird migration also appears to be a bit behind last year as well.
Many of the Canada geese have hatched in the last week and adults towing broods around can be spotted throughout the refuge. New arrivals in the last week include black terns, yellow rumped warblers, common yellow throats, Hudsonian godwits, upland sandpipers, and grasshopper sparrows. We expect to see a push of shorebirds through the refuge over the next few weeks, along with some of the last bird species to arrive such as dicksissels and bobolinks. Staff have spotted 3 to 4 peregrine falcons on the refuge near Pools 8, 9, and 10 in the last 2 weeks. They can be seen hunting blue winged teal and shorebirds.
We are currently beginning to draw many of the wetland units down to provide shorebird habitat. This will facilitate the growth of arrowhead, smartweed, burreed, wild rice, barnyard grass, beggars tick, and other preferred food plants. A total of 8 units are currently being grazed. At this time of the year, the cattle will graze heavily on smooth bromegrass and help to reduce the dominance of this exotic grass. As the weather warms up, the cattle will begin to venture more into the wetlands and help to open up the wetland vegetation. This will help to maintain the habitat for the many species of migratory birds that use the wetlands.
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
Migration Updates:
April 21, 2008
March 27, 2008
March 3, 2008
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
