Migration Update December 10, 2008
After the Storm
LaCreek NWR received a significant storm over the weekend of November 5th. A lot of the habitat was inaccessible due to the freezing rain preceding the storm, and some of the local wildlife perished due to the freezing rain. Since then the day time temperatures have been reaching the 50 degree mark and even into the 60’, so many snow banks have melted making habitat accessible to wildlife.
The bird numbers have remained consistent since the middle of November. The Canada goose numbers remain around thirteen to fourteen thousand birds and the duck numbers (primarily mallards) are estimated at twenty to thirty thousand in the area including and surrounding LaCreek NWR. The trumpeter swan numbers range between one-hundred to two-hundred birds and can be viewed in pools five, seven and eight. Several species of raptor are frequently observed from the auto tour route including bald and golden eagles, rough-legged hawks, northern harriers, ferruginous hawks, American kestrels and short-eared owls that can be observed on the refuge as well.
The pheasant numbers did take a hit during the storm but many survived. The estimate is that LaCreek NWR and the surrounding area lost upwards of fifty percent of the pheasant population. There are still a good number of pheasants on the refuge that are hunt-able.
Many of the pools on the refuge along with the Little White River Recreation Area are nearly frozen with only 20% open water. Much of the water remains open due to springs and bird activity. The high temperatures have been in the mid 30’s to 40’s and the lows have been in the teens and even single digits.
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:
November 12, 2008
October 31, 2008
October 14, 2008
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
