Ice & Snow Blanket Landscape for Lloyd Center’s 2026 Winter Waterfowl Count

The “meteorological winter” survey of the 39th annual Lloyd Center Winter Waterfowl Census was embedded between an endless parade of weekend snowstorms, including one causing a postponement. On Saturday, January 31st,the official new count day (because the rescheduled Sunday had yet another storm), participants were greeted by arctic morning temperatures, snow covered fields, and unless near flowing water, ice as far as the eye could see. While last January was a return to winter-like conditions after some balmy years, this survey had the most ice coverage in a decade (since 2014/2015 season). While extensive ice cover reduced the tidal stage factor, the count occurred on yet another moon high tide, which was evident in only unfrozen areas, the lower reaches of the larger flowing systems. With these flowing systems all in the Massachusetts portion of the study area, the entire Rhode Island stretch, which is mostly salt ponds, was essentially frozen solid.

Ironically, the 6,411 birds for this count and a season total of 14,147 waterfowl, were each the most birds since the 2021/2022 season, which also had extensive ice. Highest numbers were at the Westport River (2,000), including 1,000 in the harbor), the Slocum River (1098), and Apponagansett Bay (880). The only other sizable system with flowing water that had moderate abundance was Allens Pond (200).

Canada Geese were the most abundant species that increased the most, with the 3,807 for this count, and the 5,194 season total – the highest numbers since the 2021/2022 season. There were 1,562 geese counted between Tunipus Pond, Round Pond, and Fogland Marsh, each of which had 100% ice. Greater than 500 birds at each of the ponds were the largest concentrations of geese, which depicts the known habit of congregating on

ice for warmth and to evade predators. Not unexpectedly, the largest concentration of geese in open water was an additional 1,000 birds in the let and harbor of the largest estuary, the Westport River. Although geese increased for the survey, extensive deep snow cover in grassy riparian zones where geese feed could have reduced numbers somewhat. The other species with a considerable increase were Mute Swans, with all 425 also in the lower reaches of the Westport River.

Scaup showed the most considerable decline (-395) and were most affected by frozen ponds and were limited to just a handful of birds at Apponagansett Bay (14) and the Westport River (10) estuaries.  With the exception of Bufflehead, which had a higher estimate by only two individuals, the other most common ducks species showed subtle declines, including American Black Duck, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, and Gadwall (0 this count), each species down by over 100 birds.

Bufflehead were most abundant in the Slocum (207), Apponagansett Bay (160), and the Let (104); Black Ducks in the Slocum River (420), Mallard at the upper reaches of Apponagansett Bay (320) and the Slocum River(111); and Common Goldeneye in the Slocum River (38), all usual sites for each species. The two prevalent mergansers each declined by less than 100 birds, with Red-breasted Merganser numbers highest in the Westport River (20), andHooded Merganser highest in George’s Pond (50). The “Hoodies” were in a small unfrozen patch at the George’s Pond inlet with a few Red-breasted Mergansers, the latter species preferring larger expanses of open water which were frozen.

Two relatively common species showing minimal change from last January and which were present at low abundance were America Widgeon, which declined and were seen in Westport Harbor (50), and Ruddy Duck, which increased and were seen in Allens Pond (10) and are more common in December.

We thank the volunteers that assist with this ongoing survey which provides status updates of an important wildlife resource, and shows that there’s life in our waterways during the winter months.