2013 Waterfowl Survey for Plymouth County Nov 16

 The 4th annual duck count for Plymouth County received the gift of fine weather for the day. 26 birders turned out to comb the freshwater lakes and ponds to see what ducks we have at the peak of fall migration. It was a bounty year, with waterfowl (excluding Canada Geese) 40% higher than last year, and several species setting record highs.

Mallards were again the most numerous species of duck, and were as expected widespread over many ponds. Ruddy Ducks were again #2, with a record 762 birds.

New highs were also set by Hooded Mergansers (+75% over previous high), Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, and American Wigeon. Greater Scaup also set a high, but almost all the birds were in a single location.

For the first time in the 4 years of the survey, two pairs of lingering Blue-winged Teal were seen, in Duxbury.

Species	2013	4 Year Average
Mute Swan	161	162
Mallard	902	888
Ruddy Duck	762	546
Ring-necked Duck	571	397
Hooded Merganser	512	322
American Black Duck	332	357
Bufflehead	325	313
Gadwall	271	153
Greater Scaup	164	127
Lesser Scaup	156	119
American Coot	110	322
Common Goldeneye	104	122
American Wigeon	70	53
Total ex Canada Geese	4,573	4,018

Some of the most exciting sightings were in Other Notable Birds that were seen along the way. Highlights included two Yellow-headed Blackbirds (W. Bridgewater), a Rusty Blackbird, an Iceland Gull, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Elder's Pond, Lakeville), a Common Raven, a Fox Sparrow, a late Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Winter Wren and both types of Kinglets.

There were five species of shorebirds – Greater Yellowlegs, Snipe, Pectoral Sandpipers, Killdeer, and dowitchers. Add in three Bald Eagles and ten Belted Kingfishers.

The nearby fields turned up large flocks of 2500 Canada Geese, 3000 Red-winged blackbirds and 1500 Brown-headed Cowbirds.

One of the most intersting sightings of the day was a melanistic gray squirrel.

The Duck Count concluded with a tally at Finna's Tavern, where good food, good beer and good friends all contributed to celebrate the day's outing.

Joe Scott