We did a drive through of The Refuge today. Thin ice and snow covered 95% of it. 1st time we have ever been that we saw Zero ducks feeding in the Refuge. There were a lot of birds flying in different directions. We did see one bird land. I'm hoping the more Knowledgeable experts may help me ID. Pretty sure it was a Goose . Definitely Not a Canadian. Mostly Black ,maybe not quite as big as a Canadian. This bird was by itself wondered if he was off he=is normal migration route and lost.Had sort of a rough Landing on solid ground and went into the stubble in the field and blended in real good.
Duck River Wildlife refuge
- Thread starter WestTn Huntin man
- Start date
Would be my guess, we have them listed in the kill numbers so they have to show up occasionally.
I know This is not in the normal range of White Fronted Geese My wife and I agree it was very similar to this one. ????
I looked very hard in my bird books and considered a Brant . Ruled him out because it was so unlikely. We both got 1 real good look through a spotting scope before he disappeared. Definitely feeding on solid ground . Cut-over field.
Orange coloring to bill and feet .
BSK
Well-Known Member
That's just shocking.
Sounds like a juvenile Speck or white front goose then.
I know This is not in the normal range of White Fronted Geese My wife and I agree it was very similar to this one. ????
@gasman could tell you exactly what it is
I was down there Christmas Day. The water is very low and of course frozen. I went to where they had the road blocked and saw several thousand in the mouth of the duck. Some were trading back towards grassy so there must have been something open back there. Least water and least birds I have ever seen. Specs are common on the refuge.
We go several times every year about this time. I knew they had been working on the road,didn't know it was still closed.
I'm thinking it is covered up today with the thaw. I guess with the lack of traffic deer were feeding.
BSK
Well-Known Member
When you're in the northern end of the Bottoms and looking at the high bluffs across the Duck River, you're looking at my place.
Nice Drive from Waverly to Cuba landing through there. I can understand your neighbor problems. Pretty remote and some rough looking places.
BSK
Well-Known Member
And for some reason, that area has become "off-gridder Mecca."
We were there late yesterday afternoon and all was still frozen. Didn't see much. Down past where the road is closed the sky got almost black as a bunch flew up from the fields past where the road is blocked. Also saw 2 eagles, 1 mature and 1 juvy. I was telling wife about the lack of ducks.when we would drive through there in 80s and 90s fields would be full of ducks and geese and would see lots of deer. I don't see many deer anymore either.
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
I have a place across the river in Benton County and we are seeing the same.
BSK
Well-Known Member
That's because the Refuge intentionally wiped out the deer population with 12 years of Earn-A-Buck harvest regulations. The deer were eating the crops meant for the migratory birds.
