Spring water bird migration at Alkali Lake

Andrew C. Stewart

3932 Telegraph Bay Road, Victoria, B.C. V8N 4H7

Abstract: Water bird surveys were conducted weekly at Alkali Lake during the spring of 1991. Thirty species were encountered between 10 March and 16 June, six of which made up 81% of observations. These most common species were American Wigeon, Canada Goose, American Coot, Mallard, Lesser Scaup and Northern Pintail. Eight species were recorded on this lake during a period in which they are normally absent, scarce or uncommon in the Cariboo region. Peak migration occurred between 23 March and 27 April 1991. The highest numbers and greatest species diversity coincided on the 23 April survey. These results suggest that Alkali Lake is an important staging area in the Cariboo during spring migration and is one of the first areas of open water used by migrant water birds in this region.

Key words: Alkali Lake, Reidemann Wildlife Sanctuary, spring migration, water birds

PDFicon Stewart, A.C. 2001. Spring water bird migration at Alkali Lake. British Columbia Birds 11:5-10.

 

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