12-33 



Additional insight into the possible effects of the plant on 

 New Haven Harbor can be gained through comparison of data from this 

 study with data from surveys outside New Haven Harbor. Waterfowl nimbers 

 in New Haven are dominated by scaup and their abundance or scarcity is 

 reflected in the total waterfowl figures. Scaup in the New York portion of 

 Long Island Sound are censused each winter by the New York Department of 

 Environmental Conservation. Comparison of their data for the years 

 1972 - 1976 shows fluctuations similar to those observed in this study 

 (Figure 12-12) . It appears therefore, that the changes in scaup popula- 

 tions within New Haven Harbor are not due to any factors from within the 

 harbor . 



Gulls 



Niomber of gulls has also fluctuated, with a general trend 

 toward increasing populations (Figure 12-11) . This is probably due to 

 the New England-wide increase in gull populations discussed under the 

 "Characterization of New Haven Harbor Avifauna." 



Shoveh'ivds 



Lowest numbers of shorebirds were observed in 1974, prior to 

 plant operation and highest numbers during 1976 and the ten months of 

 1977 (Figure 12-11) . This change and the fluctuations in numbers are 

 probably unrelated to New Haven Harbor Station and instead are due to 

 the factors discussed in the "Characterization" section - i.e. tide 

 level, coincidence, and species-wide population fluctuations. 



