13-24 



by four shorebirds, semipalmated sandpiper, sanderling, dunlin and 

 black-bellied plover. The western side of the harbor was used exten- 

 sively by waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds. Substantially fewer numbers 

 and species utilized the eastern side. The distribution of birds within 

 the harbor was related to the availability of feeding and resting habi- 

 tat which was primarily located at the western side of New Haven Harbor. 



Impaots 



New Haven Harbor Station has the potential to affect avian 

 populations within New Haven by: 1) inducing avoidance of or attraction 

 to the heated effluent, 2) detrimentally affecting organisms serving as 

 avian food sources, or 3) disturbance by increased ship traffic and 

 interference of the stack and/or transmission lines with flight pat- 

 terns. Possible impacts were evaluated through inspection of the data 

 prior to and after full-time plant operation commenced. 



Lowest niimbers of birds were observed in years prior to plant 

 operation, while highest numbers were also observed prior to plant 

 operation as well as after plant operation began. Seasonal abundances 

 have remained consistent during the course of the study. Ntombers have 

 generally been highest in late fall and winter, lowest in early to mid- 

 summer and intermediate during other times of the year. This is due to 

 the migratory habits of the birds and is not affected by operation of 

 the New Haven Harbor Station. In addition, comparison of total birds 

 observed in each of three months (January, July and October) throughout 

 the years 1972-1977 shows that, not only have there been fluctuations in 

 numbers, but more birds have been observed during these months since 

 plant operation commenced than prior to plant operation. 



The construction and operation of New Haven Harbor Station 

 does not appear to have diminished the harbor's value to birds as a 

 sheltered resting or wintering area and there were no apparent plant 

 effects on food resources available to birds using the harbor. 



