Migration Alert: Cold Temps in North Atlantic Have Chesapeake Hunters Eager for Next Splits

Following a November season that most Chesapeake Bay area waterfowlers termed “hit or miss,” cautious optimism prevails heading into the final waterfowl seasons opening this weekend. Cold weather north of the Mid-Atlantic region has birds on the move, with reports of sea ducks stacking up on Delaware Bay and parts of Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, a dearth of rain has left many areas too dry to provide adequate habitat for dabbling ducks. The light rains earlier this week likely did little to alleviate the situation.

Ben Lewis, the lead waterfowl biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, received reports of good numbers of waterfowl in a few places in November, but hunters in many areas reported seeing mainly empty skies. “I know they had a good hunt at Hog Island Wildlife Management Area off the James River on the opening Saturday, but hunters did not do as well after that,” Lewis says.

While the cold weather may have moved some new birds into Virginia, especially black ducks and sea ducks, Lewis also believes many local wood ducks have left the area as ponds and swamps froze. He notes that there was a spike in band recoveries from woodies to the south.

“With fingers crossed for a freeze north of us,” Lewis remains upbeat, saying, “I think we should have a good last segment of the season. With the cold weather and snow in the Great Lakes, we have seen more birds recently despite south winds over the past couple of days.” He cites solid reports of incoming divers, dabblers, and swans along the Potomac River, as well as Canada geese in eastern Virginia.

Kayla Harvey, waterfowl program manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, says the drought has left impoundments dry except for those that can be pumped. “However,” she adds, “we've heard reports of decent duck numbers in places. In particular, our staff has seen good numbers of puddle ducks on lower Eastern Shore marshes and upper shore public-land sanctuaries. Hunters who have access to water or hunt tidal areas have reported average to above-average hunts. I personally had a surprisingly good duck hunt during the second split in a location that does not typically yield many ducks.”

An upside is the steady arrival of Atlantic Population Canada geese. “Hunters are ready for the start of the migratory goose season later in December,” Harvey says. Maryland sea duck hunters are reporting good numbers of birds and successful hunts. Like Lewis, Harvey says a couple days of heavy rain would help.

Jake McPherson, DU’s director of development in the Mid-Atlantic, has had mixed success while hunting in November, with most of his bags consisting of only one or two birds.

 “As expected, coming off the very dry summer and early fall, ducks seemed largely relegated to managed wetlands with water sources or tidal tributaries,” McPherson explains. “I personally know a lot of folks whose wetlands were dry during the first two splits and are just now getting water. For those who had the ability to fill their wetlands, I have heard good reports of teal, pintails, mallards, and black ducks.”

Chip Heaps, a retired longtime DU staffer, lives in Chestertown, Maryland, a waterfowl hotspot on the Eastern Shore. His area is as dry as many locals can remember. “The seven-acre sanctuary pond on one of our farms is bone dry, and the landowner says this is the first time that has happened in 50 years,” Heaps says. “I have to think the lack of water has negatively impacted waterfowl numbers here.”

Heaps also hopes the weather improves as the final season segment opens, with cold and snow in the northeast pushing more birds down into the Chesapeake. The question will be whether the region has enough suitable habitat to hold the birds for the remainder of the season.