It’s that time of year when the snow starts to melt, the sun starts to shine and migratory birds start to fly in earnest. This means that it’s time for annual waterfowl migration surveys at McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Although there was still ice over much of McArthur Lake during mid-March 2020, waterfowl started to show up in the hundreds to make use of the open water and abundant forage.
During the spring waterfowl survey conducted on March 17, biologists observed nearly 2,600 birds and 13 different species. Northern pintails were the most numerous, with nearly 1,300 counted. Mallards were a distant second at 450 and American wigeon at 160.
Tundra swans are one of the more popular species to view this time of year and there were plenty to observe, numbering around 430. A handful of trumpeter swans also graced the lake this year.
Other species using the wildlife management area in smaller numbers included common goldeneye, hooded mergansers, redheads, ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, buffleheads, and American coots. One species of special note was Eurasian wigeon. Although not unheard of, it is a fairly uncommon bird to see in this area. Biologists counted four during the survey.
Reservoir drawdown boosts productivity
In 2019, McArthur Lake underwent a routine drawdown. These drawdowns are done to mimic natural cycles that occur in wetland habitats and to improve the health of the wetland ecosystem. Areas that had been underwater for at least seven years were exposed to oxygen again and the response by various wetland plant species was astounding.
Plants flourished in the rejuvenated soil conditions, including smartweeds, bidens, rushes, sedges, and other highly productive wetland plants. These native wetland species all provide high quality forage for waterfowl.
With ice melting off and birds on the water it looks like spring is truly here in northern Idaho. Anyone can enjoy the spring bird migration, even from their backyard. The popular website ebird.com is a great way to learn about birds, get help with identification and connect with other birders. People can log observations which help scientists all over the world understand birds better.
