12-25 



numbers of striped killifish {Fundulus majalis) and smaller numbers of 

 Atlantic silversides {Menidia menidia) . Both species can be found in 

 waters near shore and are sometimes trapped in pools as the tide recedes . 



The above mentioned species of invertebrates and fish would 

 provide food for gulls and shorebirds . The large niiitiber of annelid 

 worms is of particular importance to the shorebirds and they also provide 

 some food for gulls. The molluscs, including the eastern mud snail, and 

 crustaceans would provide food for waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls. The 

 fish present would be utilized almost exclusively by the gulls. Because 

 of the abundance of marine worms and scarcity of molluscs, crustaceans 

 and gastropods at Long Wharf area, the area would be expected to be most 

 utilized by shorebirds. Gulls would feed in the area to an intermediate 

 extent and waterfowl least of all. Comments recorded on early data 

 sheets lend support to this assxjjptiption; there was no mention of 

 waterfowl feeding but several observations of shorebird feeding. 

 Personal observations in January 1975, however, indicated that the Long 

 Wharf area was used by feeding black ducks as well as gulls and shorebirds , 



The other main utilization of the western side of New Haven 

 Harbor appears to be for resting and shelter. The winter winds are fre- 

 quently out of the north and northwest. Comments on early data sheets 

 have referred to black ducks huddling near the shore at Long Wharf to 

 get out of the wind. The area at the West River mouth was also observed 

 to be utilized by large numbers of waterfowl and gulls during January 

 1975. Comments and personal observation concur on the fact that gulls 

 used the entire western harbor for resting and were not always exhibiting 

 feeding activity. 



The large number of scaup observed in Areas 3 and 4 spend most 

 of their time in large rafts offshore. Being diving ducks they would 

 not normally venture onto the flats to feed. Goldeneyes , canvasback and 

 buffleheads display similar behavior. Since at low tide a large part of 

 New Haven Harbor is less than 10 feet deep, it is possible for these 

 ducks to feed in areas far from shore. 



