Kip’s Comments - April 18, 2024

Apr 18

Does Rain Bother Waterfowl?

I, and many others, are so happy to see the rain that has been falling over the past days. To see the creeks running again, some higher than we have seen for a long time, is a great thing. As I checked rising stream levels I wondered if it might be possible that we are considered to be in extreme drought conditions and could experience flash flooding conditions at the same time. It all depends how the water falls.

As I crossed a bridge today I noticed drake and hen hooded mergansers. I wondered if the rain bothers waterfowl. Do such birds mind? Do they pay any attention? I have seen swans and geese in a near panic when high water threatens their nests. Are the birds sitting on eggs now watching the water rise? Am I giving them too much thinking credit? I will likely never know.