Waterbird Census Summary 1997

A census of all known wetland area large enough to have any waterbird use was commenced at Patuxent Research Refuge in the fall of 1996. This report is a compilation and discussion of results for the year commencing the first week in December 1996. The purpose of this effort is to record to the maximum extent possible the waterbird use on Patuxent Refuge by location and time of year. And to determine the impacts of weather, especially drought and ice, beaver impacts, and impoundment management activities.