Folks-
I was passed an interesting thread related to BRANT behaving strangely
around the Chesapeake Bay area this winter and thought I would share a
summary. None of this is my work or observations (other than the ones
visiting us here at VIMS, which is odd), but I could redirect if you want
more info. The thread proposes that BRANT are being influenced by the major
eelgrass die-off in the Bay this past fall, and are seeking alternative
food sources in strange places.
"Buddy has a golf course FULL of Brant by Ocean City. They've been shooting
a few and popping caps over them trying to scare them off, but they're
tearing up the fairways still - hundreds to thousands of them daily."
"As we saw in December, we are seeing BRANT in Virginia doing some strange
things also. During mid-winter survey flights, we have seen them on inland
impoundments, up in small tidal guts, on salt marsh ponds, and in upland
wheat and grain fields (very unusual unless the bays are frozen). I was
curious to see if other folks were seeing the same thing. I know Paul had
also seen strange behavior in New Jersey earlier in the year. I also
suspect there is a problem with eelgrass and sea lettuce crops this year."
"Our Midwinter Survey suggest that all the brant in the MD portion of the
Bay are concentrated at this site (the golf course). Very, very unusual to
have field-feeding brant in a mild winter like we are experiencing."
Dave Hewitt
Gloucester, VA
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