Nature Vancouver

Beth MacCallum sent a message using the contact form at
http://naturevancouver.ca/contact.

I have been monitoring a breeding population of harlequin ducks on
Alberta's East Slope since 1996 using Mark-Resighting techniques.  As of
May 12, 2009 we still have had no harlequins arrive in the McLeod River in
Alberta.  We usually see our first harlequin between May 1 - 5 and have
often been banding by May 10.  The water remains at winter levels and is
extremely low and is not yet suitable for ducks.  I talked to Jasper
yesterday and they have only a few ducks on the Athabasca and one male at
the outlet of Maligne Lake.  Water is extremely low and many larger lakes
are still frozen.  Do any of your members know whether harlequins have
delayed migration and remain on the coast longer than usual?  Harlequins
from the McLeod winter mostly in the Straight of Georgia including White
Rock's Boundary Bay, Comox, Hornby Island.  They have also been sighted at
Campbell River, Mittlenatch Island, Victoria's Beacon Hill Park, Sooke and
Carmanah Light Station.

Best Regards,

Beth MacCallum, MEDes, P.Biol.
Bighorn Wildlife Technologies Ltd.
176 Moberly Drive, Hinton  AB Canada  T7V 1Z1
Ph: (780) 865-3390  Fax: (780) 865-4906
E-mail: ovis@telusplanet.net
www.bighornwildlife.com