Mist Netting - Common Eiders

Out of all the waterfowl species in North America, the least is known about sea ducks.  Research is difficult because the birds spend much of their lives on the ocean and breed in hard to reach, arctic regions.  Efforts are increasing every year though, and biologists are learning more.

Rhode Island is the winter home to several sea duck species. Common eider, surf, black, and white-wing scoter, oldsquaw, and harlequin ducks are all winter regulars along the coast of new england. Last year we began attempting to catch a few.  Our most successful method was using a large "mist" net, spanned across a stretch of water, surrounded by decoys to lure the birds in close. The birds see the decoys, attempt to land with them, then hit and get tangled in the net.  There was certainly a learning curve involved with setting the nets and getting the birds to play ball, but a year or so of experience is certainly showing. 

With black duck trapping about done for the season, we decided to take advantage of some fair weather this week and go on a couple trips for fun.  We split up and scoured the coast for sea ducks, Josh came back with the best report: 1500-2000 eider in a shallow rocky area right near shore and short run from a boat ramp. Perfect! 

Day one (Tuesday) went well. Everything went smooth and we were able to trap 8 common eider, 2 of which were previously banded. A complete lack of wind and bright sun made the nets stand out and the birds became quickly wary. 

Day two (Thursday) went amazing! Setting the net using two rock piles as a funnel and a little more breeze to hide the net and help direct the birds helped us catch 35 eider.  Again 2 of the birds were previously banded.  

Our target for this week - Common Eider

Success! Our first bird on day one was previously banded in Nova Scotia in 2004.

A hen makes her approach and hits the net.

A drake trapped in the net. 

Sunrise - 3/17/11

Some eiders that made it over the net.

mug shot

Gotta love when the anchor hooks a cluster of blue mussels. I wonder why the eiders are there!

Before

and after!

Wildlife Photos

Here are a some wildlife photos I have taken over the past few years around the States.  I am fortunate enough to be outside enough to see some things a lot of people don't.  I always try to have the camera ready when I'm on the road, on the water, or in the woods.

Whitetail Deer - Barry, Illinois

Red Fox  - West Kingston, RI

Brown Bear - Goodnews Bay, Alaska (published 2009 and 2010 Fodor's Alaska Travel Guide)

American Bullfrog - North Kingstown, RI

Harbor Seal - Pawcatuck, CT

Muskrat - West Kingston, RI

Ruby Throated Hummingbird - Richmond, RI

Bald Eagle - Goodnews Bay, Alaska (published 2009 Fodor's Alaska Travel Guide)

Winning!

...In a duck trapping sense.  While trapping has still been slow numbers wise, we had a great week.  The first bonus was a new species.  On Tuesday we trapped two drake american wigeon, it was nice to finally trap something besides a mallard, a black duck, or a cross between the two.

On friday we started the morning with a "new" tactic for winter banding; shooting a large net over the birds (the rest of the crew used this tactic this summer, and it has been used to trap waterfowl for many years.) The net captured a handful of birds, including another new bird for us, a mallard-pintail hybrid! This bird was definitely more of mallard, but showed several characteristics of being partially pintail.

Friday's second high point was a trap full of black ducks which turned out to be more than we had ever caught in a single trap.  In total there were fourteen black ducks in the trap. Two were birds we banded last winter and one about a week ago, leaving eleven brand new black ducks. There were a few mallards in the trap too.

A couple more photos from the week:

Jay and I got out shed hunting again earlier in the week and found a few.

A Rhode Island relic. It looks like the can Quint finished in Jaws and dropped on the deck!

Some early morning green wings.

And finally a red tailed hawk who likes to hang out outside one of our duck traps.