Spring 2013 - Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy

The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
Protecting waterfowl & wetland habitats through research, education & conservation action
Newsletter—Spring 2013
LRWC COMPLETES YEAR ONE OF LONG-TAILED DUCK STUDY
In partnership with the Connecticut Waterfowler’s Association, the Conservancy completed a survey of the Long-tailed Duck
(LTDU) harvest occurring in Norwalk, Connecticut during the 2012/13 hunting season. The International Union of
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently listed LTDU as “Vulnerable” due to rapid declines in the Baltic Sea wintering
population and a concern that additional wintering populations may be at risk. The specific causes of the decline are unclear
but low reproductive success, habitat degradation, pollution, climate change and over harvest
may all have a role. While the North American population is still estimated at approximately
one million birds, concerns about declines in wintering numbers of Long-tailed Duck in the
Northeast and the listing of the species by the IUCN have led to recent discussions of initiating
restrictions on overall LTDU daily harvest limits and a more restrictive female LTDU harvest.
Conservancy intern Gareth Perkins surveyed hunters and their harvest at the Veteran’s Park
boat launch in Norwalk for a total of 48 days from early November to mid-January. Most
hunters were very courteous and allowed their harvest to be inspected and provided helpful
survey responses. A total of 95 harvested Long-tailed Ducks were identified by age and sex,
and 15 hunters gave their opinions on LTDU and their hunting experience.
While the sample sizes were low, the results show that the vast majority of the LTDU harvest
Intern Gareth Perkins inspects
is adult birds (90%). In most waterfowl species juveniles make up the majority of the harvest. harvested Long-tailed Ducks
The high harvest of adult LTDU leads to several questions: are juvenile LTDU purposefully not
targeted? Do they not winter in Norwalk with adult birds? Is breeding success poor and there are few juveniles in the
wintering population? These questions are especially important because of the international concern about declines in LTDU
numbers. Like other long-lived species, LTDU take several years to mature and may not successfully breed annually.
To help answer these questions, and to improve the sampling of hunter harvests and opinions, the Conservancy is drafting a
proposal seeking funding for a second year of study. The survey hours will be modified to capture a larger number of
hunters. Efforts will also be made to educate hunters about the purpose of the survey prior to the beginning of the hunting
season to increase participation. Surveys of wintering LTDU numbers will also be performed by boat twice monthly during
the hunting season to determine adult to juvenile ratios which can be compared to those of hunter harvested birds.
Some of the results of the 2012/2013 Long-tailed Duck hunter harvest survey in Norwalk, Connecticut
The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
Page 2 - Spring 2013
“GET HOOKED ON WETLANDS” FISHING DERBY
On May 5th the Conservancy hosted a free fishing derby for children under the age of 16.
The event was not only a great day to get kids outdoors to enjoy the beautiful spring
weather, it was also the perfect opportunity to
educate them on the value of wetlands for people and
wildlife. Signs with facts about wetlands were placed
around the pond, giving participants and their parents a
chance to learn as they fished. Participants were also
invited to tour the Conservancy, to see the birds and
learn about our conservation, research and education
efforts.
Over 60 people attended the derby, and despite a slow
day for trout, a fun time was had by all. For many of
the participants it was their first time visiting the Conservancy and they were
amazed to learn such a special place existed in their own backyards!
We would like to thank our local sponsors for
making the derby possible, including Litchfield
Ford, the Northwestern Connecticut Chapter of
Trout Unlimited, True Value of Litchfield and
King, King and Associates C.P.As. In addition,
the support of the Litchfield Hill’s Audubon
Society, Jeffrey Tillou Antiques, Designs
Unlimited, Fire Equipment Headquarters, LaPlaca Oil, Winsted Feed and Supply and
the Connecticut Waterfowler’s Association all contributed to this community event.
We would also like to thank two very important volunteers at the event, Evan
Williams and Olaf Soltau. Evan, a member of the Northwestern Connecticut Chapter
of Trout Unlimited, helped new fisherman with baiting hooks, casting and taking their
catches off the line. Meanwhile, Olaf manned the refreshment counter keeping
derby participants happy with snacks and drinks. Many thanks to both Evan and Olaf for all their help!
Visit the Conservancy’s website at www.LRWC.net
The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
Page 3 - Spring 2013
EGGS AND DOWNY WATERFOWL OF THE WORLD PROJECT
With the spring breeding season upon us, we are collecting data and taking
photographs of eggs and recently hatched ducklings, goslings and cygnets as part of
the Conservancy’s effort to document the eggs and downy waterfowl of the world.
The ultimate goal of the project is to publish a comprehensive guide to the eggs
and chicks of the world’s 140 species of waterfowl. Such a guide will be a helpful
reference to a wide audience of researchers, biologists, aviculturists, wildlife
rehabilitators and other groups involved with the early life stages of waterfowl.
There is little information available on waterfowl eggs and chicks, yet this is a very
important part of the life cycle. To help complete the project, several aviculture
facilities have volunteered to collect data and
photographs of many species LRWC does not
maintain. Collaborators include Pinola Preserve
in Louisiana, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl in North
Carolina and Dry Creek Waterfowl in
Washington State. With their contributions and
assistance from other aviculturists across the
world, we hope to collect data and photos for
A Chinese Merganser egg
the vast majority of waterfowl species in 2013.
Hawaiian Goose gosling
North American Wood Duck duckling
LRWC COLLABORATES WITH USFWS ON TRAINING GUIDE
Agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are
using the Conservancy’s native waterfowl species to
develop a training guide for new officers. Photographs
of our native birds in male and female plumages, and
photos of heads, wings and feet will be used to help
officers identify ducks in the field and enforce
waterfowl hunting regulations throughout the United
States and Canada.
A Common Eider has its foot photographed for the project
THE CONSERVANCY HIRES NEW AVICULTURIST
Nick Tiberio has joined the Conservancy as our aviculturist. Nick is responsible for the day-today care of the bird collection, breeding and propagation as well as supporting the
Conservancy’s veterinarian. Nick is very also involved in the Conservancy’s conservation
education programs, guiding tours as well as conducting school presentations.
Prior to joining the Conservancy, Nick worked as a professional bird abatement falconer in New
York State. As part of his responsibilities he trained, flew and helped propagate numerous
falcon species. In addition, Nick has been a long-time keeper of waterfowl and birds of prey at
his home near Rochester. He received avicultural training at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center
in Scotland Neck, North Carolina and at the Ireland School of Falconry at Ashford Castle. He is
also an award winning Irish Fiddler. Nick, his wife Tara and their son William live on Duck Pond
Road where Nick can keep close eye on the birds. Please come by and meet Nick soon!
Nick Tiberio, LRWC Aviculturist
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The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
Page 4 - Spring 2013
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT : LOGAN CONNOR & FORMAN SCHOOL
Wamogo High School student Logan Connor
volunteers after school three days a week as
part of the school’s Supervised Agricultural
Experience program. No matter what the
weather or project, Logan tackles every task
with enthusiasm and an admirable work ethic.
Thank you Logan for all your help!
Starting in the fall of 2012, students from
Litchfield’s Forman School have been
volunteering in work parties at the
Conservancy. Armed with rakes and shovels,
these hard-working students have amazed us
with their dedication. Keep up the great work!
MARK YOUR CALENDERS - UPCOMING EVENTS AT LRWC
An Evening With the Birds - July 26th
Cocktails · Hors d'oeuvres · Flight demos
6-8pm at the Conservancy Aviary
Bird Fest
A Celebration of Aviculture
Live Birds · Demonstrations · Talks by Pros · Meet a Vet
July 27th 10am to 4pm
Board of Directors
Rosemary L. Ripley, Chair
Peter Litwin
Sylvia Ripley Addison
Thomas Lovejoy, Ph.D., President
George Archibald, Ph.D.
Francoise Macomber, Ph.D.
Juliet Tammenoms Bakker
Julie Ripley Miller
Laura Ridgely Hatch
Dillon Ridgely
Theodore Janulis
T. Dennis Williams
55 Duck Pond Road/P.O. Box 210
Advisory Board
Staff
Julie Bailey
Ian Gereg, Executive Director
Bruce Beehler, Ph.D.
Nick Tiberio, Aviculturist
Elizabeth Dickey, Ed.D.
Cate Hogan, Administrator
Peter Grubstein
Bill Nicholson, Property Manager
The Honorable Andrew Roraback Dr. Marc Valitutto, Veterinarian
Litchfield, CT 06759
(860) 567-2062 - Office/(860) 567-4369 - Fax
info@lrwc.net
www.LRWC.net
Protecting waterfowl and wetland habitats through research, education and conservation action
The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
Page 5 - Spring 2013
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