HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FALL SEASON 1998 
Willie D'Anna 
2257 Cayuga Drive Extension, 
Niagara Falls, NY 14304 
WEATHER EFFECTS 
Tropical Storms Floyd and Dennis alleviated the summer drought in 
much of the state. Eastern areas of New York got drenched by Floyd 
which dropped as much as 14 inches of rain in Region 9. In addition to 
widespread flooding, the storm caused mudslides and a dam to fail in 
Region 7. The earlier Dennis had less impact but it did help to control the 
forest fires raging in the Adirondacks. These storms produced some 
interesting birds but only in coastal areas of Region 10. Overall, it was 
another warmer than average season with September and especially 
November well above normal. Migrant songbird concentrations were 
few with only Region 10 noting one day, 11 Sep, as significant. 
WATERFOWL 
Despite the fact that this group was considered down in Regions 3 & 
5 this season, there were several highlights. Brant were found in numbers 
over 1000 in the Lake Ontario Regions 1,2, & 5 with an impressive 10,000 
in three days at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch in Region 2. Green-winged 
Teals had counts of at least 90 in six Regions and a maximum of 309 in 
Region 2 and Ring-necked Ducks numbered at least 175 in six Regions 
with a maximum of 550 in Region 1. Those looking in Bull's Birds of New 
York State(1998) will find that these numbers pale in comparison to max¬ 
ima recorded at Montezuma NWR in Region 3. However, Montezuma is 
an extraordinary place and compared to other locations in the state, the 
counts above are quite high. Good numbers of Ruddy Ducks were also 
found in seven Regions with a maximum of 780 in Region 1 and one was 
early in Region 7. This species has shown a definite upward trend in 
recent years. Some other fine counts this season included 1163 Wood 
Ducks in Region 9, 300 Northern Shovelers and 7600 Greater Scaups in 
Region 1, 1350 Common Goldeneyes in Region 7, and 639 and 450 
Buffleheads in Regions 2 & 7, respectively. Though Snow Geese seemed 
down in some Regions as compared to the previous fall, 12-14,000 in 
The Kingbird 2000 March; 50(1) 39 
