Migration Update October 14, 2008
Fall is in the air. Several hard frosts have prodded all but the hardiest of plants to shut down for the winter. An abundance of Nuttall's, Maximillian, and common sunflower produced a bumper crop of sunflower seeds on the refuge. Thousands of white crowned, Harris, American tree, and lark sparrows can be seen feeding on the sunflowers. An increase in waterfowl numbers and species can be seen throughout the refuge. Thousands of mallards and Canada geese can be seen along the tour route and coming and going from feeding in harvested grain fields. The number of American widgeon, gadwall, and green winged teal has steadily increased. Wood ducks and redheads can be seen along the tour route. The first trumpeter swan pair has returned, with 2 cygnets in tow. We expect to see hundreds more arrive over the next month. Our biologist reports that trumpeter swan production nearly doubled from last year. This is attributed to a number of young pairs in the population that are just beginning to bring off successful nesting attempts, combined with very good wetland conditions in the sandhills. A number of raptors continue to move into the area. In the last week staff have spotted peregrine and prairie falcons, kestrel and merlin, golden and bald eagles, northern harriers, ferruginous, red tailed, and Swainson's hawks, short eared, burrowing, great horned, and barn owls. High meadow and prairie vole populations continue, and coyotes are often spotted hunting for them along the tour route. Thousands of sandhill cranes have been migrating though the area. Many stop just at sunset to rest for the night and then continue south at first light. A few flocks have remained in the area and can be seen flying out from pool 10 to feed during the day. With the fall migration in full swing, there are many more species that will be moving through the area.
Hunting for ring necked pheasant and sharptailed grouse opens this Saturday on portions of the refuge. A fair number of both have been spotted in open areas over the last few weeks. The refuges first of two muzzleload deer season opens on portions of the refuge this Wednesday. There continues to be high numbers of white tailed deer throughout the refuge. Staff have not found any deer suspected of dying from EHD or blue tongue. With the recent frosts, the biting gnats suspected of transmitting the disease to the deer are gone for the season.
The next month and a half brings peak numbers of waterfowl to the refuge. The work completed by staff with lowering and raising water levels, grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding, weed control, etc. has produced an abundance of wetland foods used by the birds. Areas that remain flooded through the fall will support thousands of ducks, geese and swans. Many of the wetland units will remain dry and saved for the spring migration. They will be flooded in March. This will provide the food and nutrients that are critically needed by hens headed into the nesting season.
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:
September 25, 2008
August 4, 2008
June 12, 2008
May 13, 2008
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
