Numbers Increase in December 2025 Count of Lloyd Center’s 39th Annual Waterfowl Survey
On December 4, 2025 on a moon tide and under stellar conditions, temps in the low 40’s and no wind, Lloyd Center staff and volunteers embarked on the December portion of the Center’s 39th Annual Winter Waterfowl survey in systems here in Southeast New England (see waterfowl page for study area details). Both seasonable temperatures and traces of ice on systems were similar to a year ago and typical of late fall, or the start of “meteorological winter”, when ice coverage on saline areas is indicative of a colder regional trend. The freezing of shallow freshwater wetlands, both locally and north and west into the Atlantic Flyway, sends birds to our coastal systems which provide a sustained winter food source. While conditions had improved in comparison to last year locally, a northeast region drought again occurred, which could have further reduced overall freshwater availability.
The 7,736 total waterfowl was an increase by 2,673 birds, most of the increase (70%) being for familiar species including Canada Goose (+655), Mallard (+490), American Black Duck (+390), Bufflehead (+356) and Red-breasted Merganser (+219). The geese and dabbling ducks are most directly impacted by a decline in shallow freshwater wetland areas and therefore are most likely to increase in the shallow estuaries as these results show. While the divers may occupy deeper water bodies slower to freeze, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Mergansers also feed in shallow areas and rely heavily upon our coastal wetlands throughout the cold months.
Other species increasing included Brant (+139), American Wigeon (+128), Northern Pintail (+118) and Common Goldeneye (+109) which increased by between 100-200 birds, Brant (125 Apponagansett Bay) and Pintail (all at West Branch of Westport River) not present at all last December. Ruddy Duck (+72), scaup (+61) Mute Swan (+45), Gadwall (+57), and Hooded Merganser (+33) each increased by less than 100 birds. Species showing slight declines from last December included Green-winged Teal, Common Eider, scoters, and Ring-necked Duck – mostly divers.
Site/subsection rankings were the East Branch south of Hix Bridge (1,451) and the West Branch (906) of the Westport River, Apponagansett Bay (1,207), and the Slocum River (678); the only difference this year being the increase in birds on the West Branch. The East Branch south of Hix Bridge had the highest count for Canada Goose (472) and Bufflehead (412), while the West Branch had a notably large flock of Red-breasted Merganser (536). Apponagansett Bay had the next highest Bufflehead (377) totals and the most scaup (295) and Mallards (232). The Slocum had the most American Black Ducks (224), the next most Bufflehead (254), and a relatively large flock of Canada Geese (107). It’s notable that Littler River had the second most Black Ducks (215) making the Slocum-Little River Complex (439) the area with most black ducks, a trend seen in the past.
Other notable sightings included by far the largest flock of Hooded Mergansers (80) at Allens Pond where the less abundant Common Merganser (4) was also seen; a large flock of American Wigeon (160) at Tunipus Pond, sizable flocks of Ruddy Ducks at Cockeast (157) and Salters (60) Ponds, and one Barrow’s Goldeneye on the Westport East Branch south of Hix Bridge.
Stay tuned for results of the quickly approaching January 25th survey, when a more substantial temperature (and ice) factor, and later winter migration schedules for many waterfowl, result in a different community than the one present in early December. We can compare the two counts, then combine them for an overall “annual” survey comparable to past seasons.
As always, we thank all the volunteers who assist on this important effort each season!