To learn more about winter waterfowl populations through citizen science, the Northern Neck Chapter of the Audubon Society (NNAS) is seeking volunteers to assist in a census count of these fascinating birds February 5-6.
This Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula Winter Waterfowl Count, focusing on the Lower Rappahannock-Potomac rivers, tributaries and adjacent lands, is sponsored in 2022 by NNAS and the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula Chapters of Virginia Master Naturalists.
This count was started in 2019 modeled after a Winter Waterfowl Count originated by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) focused on the Northern Virginia Counties along the Potomac that began in 2008, said NNAS president Kevin Howe.
While ASNV focuses on the Potomac and inland areas where waterfowl can be found, the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck count includes both the lower Potomac and Rappahannock rivers along the Middlesex, Essex, King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, Lancaster and Northumberland counties.
“Most of the waterfowl we see in the winter have migrated to the area from parts north. Our waterfowl habitats in North America face potentially substantial and unfavorable effects from climate change….
