Fall 2024 Waterfowl Survey

For the past twelve years, Nature Center staff has undertaken weekly waterfowl surveys of Jacobs Pond ducks, geese and swans (and sometimes loons and grebes) in spring and fall. The most recent survey, the Fall 2024 Waterfowl Survey, is now complete and the data has been compiled.

The Fall count begins the first week in September and ends when the pond is fully frozen. Jacobs Pond froze solidly for the first time for the winter on December 16, meaning that the survey includes 15 weeks’ worth of data. So, what does it say for this year?

Understandably, the top three species on the pond, both in frequency and abundance, were Canada Geese, Mallards and Mute Swans. These species are year-round residents that breed on the edges of the pond and never seem to be far from it. This year, true migrants were minimal: nine Wood Ducks, seven Ring-necked Ducks, four Hooded Mergansers, two American Black Ducks and one Bufflehead. Eight other species have been seen during the surveys, but in very small numbers. In other words, the eight species listed above were the “usual suspects.” Species diversity fluctuates between 4 and 10 species each year.

Speaking of abundance on the pond, this year there were a total of 403 individuals counted over the 15 weeks. For comparison, in 2023 we counted 601, but in 2019 only 101. We never really know what drives the changes. This year we suffered a prolonged drought heading into the count season. Could that have affected nearby food availability for Canada Geese that forced them to be elsewhere? If the local grasses weren’t growing, Canada Geese had to forage somewhere else. Ice formed early this year. Wood Ducks are known to not like “cold feet.” Would we have seen more of them had the temps been 5-10 degrees warmer in December? In the recent past, the pond has been treated with herbicides to kill invasive aquatic vegetation. Did the underwater food source dry up for dabbling ducks during those years? This year, it seems like the Mallards were happy. More than 100 made the count this year.

Spring is around the corner, and as such so is another survey. What will we learn this spring? Such is the fun of community science projects like our waterfowl surveys. Discovery awaits!