Very few waterfowl species have been seen in any sizable numbers consistently in Long Island Sound in November and early December. Some of the chillier night air, along with the calendar, is finally pushing additional birds more to the south. One exception has been the Atlantic Brant, with hundreds of birds being seen on many days. They are starting to dwindle as they head for even warmer quarters as finally more American Black Duck, Gadwall, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated and Common Loons, American Wigeon and others arrive. Even while noting additional species their overall abundance remains low. Why leave the north when there are open waters, sunny and warm days and enough food? Wintering tallies of waterbirds need to bear this in mind and that some of the population may remain further north as the temperature climbs over time, thus altering the expected population of a given area.
