I evaluated the use of various wetlands by wintering ducks in
the Tulare Lake Basin (TLB), California, during October 1982 - April
1983 and September 1983 - March 1984. Aerial waterfowl counts of the
TLB were used to document spacial use patterns by ducks. Ground
surveys on evaporation ponds in the Tulare Lake Drainage District
(TLDD) were used to evaluate duck use of specific ponds with varying
chemical and biological parameters. During mid-winter, up to 300,000
ducks used the TLB. The most abundant species (northern pintail
(Anas acuta), northern shoveler (Anas clvoeata), and green-winged
teal (Anas crecca)) were found on freshwater habitats. Ruddy ducks
(Oxvura jamaicensis) were the only species to extensively use the
evaporation ponds. With the exception of ruddy ducks, the
evaporation ponds did not appear to be valuable for feeding areas,
but provided sanctuary during the hunting season. The use of
evaporation ponds by waterfowl may be heavier in years without the
extensive floodwater that was present during this study. / Graduation date: 1991
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/38038 |
| Date | 23 May 1990 |
| Creators | Coe, Holly N. |
| Contributors | Jarvis, Robert L. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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