INTRODUCTION

The New York State Ornithological Association (formerly Federation of New York State Bird Clubs) has conducted an annual midwinter waterfowl count (FWC) almost every year since 1955 (Rising 1955), except for a brief hiatus in 1968-1972 (Jones 1980). Each January, participants visit lakes, rivers and shorelines throughout New York State to count waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and associated water birds (e.g., loons, grebes, cormorants and coot). Whenever possible, counts are conducted during a 9-day count period beginning on the second Saturday after New Year’s Day, with a target date of the first Sunday in that period. Most counts are conducted during the first 3 days of the period, but in some cases additional time is needed to complete the counts.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Official weather data for January 2004 were not obtained, but regional compilers reported severe winter weather conditions just prior to and during the count all across the state. As reported by Guthrie (2004): “There was no doubt that the weather during 2003-04 winter season had an impact on birds and birders. Many areas across the state experienced heavy snow in December, followed by severe cold in January, when average temperatures were in the range of 5-10 degrees below normal...The severe cold in January resulted in little open water in most of the state, and , subsequently, lower than normal waterfowl totals...” (except for geese and swans).

Regional compilers all reported that such conditions prevailed during the count period, with temperatures well below freezing, occasional snow fall, strong winds on many days, and extensive ice cover, making waterfowl viewing difficult. As a result of this weather pattern, most small inland waters and some larger bays and lakes were completely frozen. Many larger lakes, rivers, and coastal bays had significant shoreline ice that limited waterfowl use.

RESULTS

A total of 347,661, comprising 47 species, were counted in 2004 (Table 1). The 2003 total was 8% above 2003 and 24% above the long-term (1973-2003) average of 280,376 birds (Table 2). Unfortunately, several important areas on Long Island, accounting for approximately 13% of the total count, were surveyed after the scheduled survey period, due to difficulties finding volunteers to replace past observers who were unable to do the counts this year.

Comparison of the 2004 counts with long-term (1973-2003) averages shows 10 of 21 major species or taxa at least 10% above average, and nine species or taxa more than 10% below average (Table 2). Canada Geese (156,960) climbed to the 3rd highest count ever, while most ducks, except Common Eider and scoters, declined from a year ago. Counts of most other water birds declined also, except for Double-crested Cormorant. A new high count was established for Black Scoter (3,185).

Total waterfowl numbers in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine to Florida) were up 2% from 2003, but were 7% below the 10-year (1994-2003) average (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, unpublished data). Flyway counts of dabbling ducks were up 9% from a year ago, diving ducks increased 22%, and sea ducks decreased 21%. Flyway counts of Canada Geese and Brant declined 18% and 21%, respectively, whereas Snow Geese and Brant were up 37% from a year ago. It appears that some of the decline in duck numbers in New York were compensated for by increases in more southern states. Annual changes in relative abundance in New York often do not mirror flyway trends because state counts reflect effects of weather as well as population changes.

Highlights of regional reports included a Northern Shoveler on the Niagara River and a record number of Tundra Swans in Region 1, a Tufted Duck on Lake Ontario (Region 2), two Barrow’s Goldeneye on Lake Champlain (Region 7), White-fronted Geese in Dutchess County (Region 9), a Tundra Swan on the lower Hudson River (Region 9), and a King Eider and 11 Harlequin Ducks at Long Beach Island, contributing to a new high of 14 Harlequins in Region 10 (Table 1). Numbers of Long-tailed Ducks in Region 1 increased slightly from 2003 but were still below the numbers seen in recent years. This decline may be due to the recent outbreak of Type E botulism in that region, which has killed thousands of this species every fall since 2001.

FUTURE COUNTS

The JWC is a valuable long-term population monitoring program for waterfowl and other water birds wintering in New York State. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has discontinued aerial surveys of waterfowl wintering in New York, so they now rely on the JWC as the standard survey. It is important that member clubs and individuals maintain complete and consistent coverage of areas surveyed in the past to ensure that results are comparable from year-to-year and over the long-term. Future counts are scheduled as follows:

2006 - January 14-22 (target date - Sunday, January 15); and
2007 - January 13-21 (target date - Sunday, January 14).

For more information about the JWC, visit NYSOA's Waterfowl Count page.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank all of the observers who participated this year, especially for enduring cold winter weather to conduct these counts. A special thanks to the following Regional Compilers who coordinated the efforts of all those volunteers:

LITERATURE CITED

Guthrie, A. 2004. Highlights of the season - winter 2003/2004. Kingbird 54:135-140.

Jones, M. 1980. The New York State waterfowl count - a quarter century report. Kingbird 30:210-216.

Rising, G. R. 1955. The January waterfowl count. Kingbird 5:34-36.