Carp

Utah has one of the largest wintering populations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states with more than 1,200 counted in recent years. Eagles congregate at Farmington Bay during winter months to feed on carp and waterfowl as fresh water feeding grounds are frozen over. Typically in January and February, hundreds of eagles can be seen in close proximity along the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake. This year the Eagles have be much more dispearsed due to the unusually warm and dry conditons that have prevailed this winter. One year I was fortunate to count almost 200 Eagles at Farmington Bay after a snow storm along the five mile auto route open to the general public. Today's count was 21 despite the ample presence of dead carp which is the result of the DWRs annual posioning program to reduce the species impact on waterfowl feeding areas. The warm weather has also made it more difficult to see other species. I estimated Tundra Swans at over 2, 000 individuals, but they seemed to favor locations furthers away from the dikes/road so no close up views. We also walked out to the Nature Center viewing area and watched a half-dozen Great Blue Herons busy construting nests on the artificial platforms. Along the way we saw a large flock of juvenile White-crowned Sparrows.

The specific problem with Carp at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area is that they root the bottom of the impoundment's, as they seek food. The rooting action stirs silt and keeps the water turbid, so that sunlight cannot penetrate for photosynthesis that is required for submergent plant growth to take place. The plant growth is necessary to provide food for migratory waterfowl. Rotenone is typically used each February each year for treating impoundments like Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The dead Carp provide an abundant food supply for Bald Eagle and other birds.

Posted on February 27, 2012 05:11 AM by