and 12 August on ERF using a net-gun from a Bell
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.M. Collins and D. Cate,
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army, Alaska,
UH1 helicopter. Each mallard was banded and
Directorate of Public Works, FY96 Final Report, p.
fitted with a 9.1-g backpack transmitter and
2130.
released at its capture site. Of the 136 mallards, 55
We determined spatial distribution, move-
were fitted with standard transmitters and 82
ments, turnover rate, and mortality of mallards
mallards were fitted with mortality transmitters.
using Eagle River Flats, Fort Richardson, Alaska,
Tracking data indicated that transmitters did not
during fall migration, 3 August to 15 October 1996.
appear to inhibit mallard movements or activi-
Various techniques were used to capture 158 ducks
ties. LOCATE II was used to map telemetry loca-
on ERF. Of these, 107 mallards and 29 northern pin-
tions. Mallard movements and distribution indi-
tails were fitted with radio transmitters. Tracking
cate that they spent about 88% of their time in
data indicated that transmitters did not appear to
Areas A, B, C, and C/D. In addition, mallards
inhibit movements or activities of either duck.
spent about 69% of their time in areas that are
Mallard movements and distribution indicate that
considered contaminated (A, BT, C, C/D, and RI).
they spent about 91% of their time in Areas A, B, C,
However, mallards were only located 6 of 144
and C/D. In addition, mallards spent about 83% of
times in Racine Island Pond and 2 of 21 times in
Bread Truck Pond. The average number of days
their time in areas that are considered contaminat-
ed (A, BT, C, C/D, EOD, and RI). The average num-
spent on ERF by mallards was 42. The average
ber of days spent on ERF by mallards was 47. The
daily turnover rate for waterfowl was about 1.1%.
average daily turnover rate for waterfowl was
The greatest turnover of waterfowl occurred
about 1.4%. The greatest turnover of waterfowl
from 7 to 16 October, when 52% of the mallards
occurred from 1 to 15 October, when 62% of the
departed ERF. The mortality of instrumented
mallards departed ERF. The mortality of instru-
mallards that used ERF from 2 August to 22 Octo-
mented mallards using ERF from 3 August to 15
ber was 35. Of that, 21 were attributed to white
October was 37, or about 35%. The greatest mortal-
phosphorus ingestion. The greatest mortality
ity occurred in Area C (35%), Area A (22%), and
occurred in Area BT, 5 of 21 (24%); Area A, 5 of 21
Areas C/D and RI (16%, respectively). During 1994
(24%); and Areas C/D and C, 7 of 21 (33%). Over-
and 1995, 10 and 14 bald eagles were fitted with
all, these areas accounted for 81% of the mallard
satellite transmitters. As of December 1996, only
mortality on ERF. No mallard mortality was
one transmitter remains active. That eagle was
noted from capture, handling, or the transmitter.
near Cordova, Alaska. No eagle mortality has been
We recovered 15 whole duck bodies from the 21
documented from instrumented birds, even
white phosphorus mortalities. Analysis is planned.
though eagles scavenge dead ducks (including
A mortality model was developed for ERF to esti-
instrumented ducks). Indications from the 1996
mate the total individual dabblers using ERF, the
data, compared to 1993 and 1995 mallard data, are
peak number of dabblers using ERF, and the total
that hazing is having a positive effect on the redis-
numbers of duck mortalities on ERF during the
tribution of waterfowl to uncontaminated areas on
fall migration period. In 1996, 5413 individual
ERF.
dabblers used ERF from 3 August to 16 October.
Dabblers peaked at 2333 individuals between 13
and 16 September. The overall mortality that
Cummings, J.L., R.E. Johnson, K.S. Gruver, P.A.
occurred on ERF was 655 dabblers. In 1997, 6063
Pochop, J.F. Foley, J.E. Davis, J.B. Bourassa, and
individual dabblers used ERF from 2 August to 22
C.H. Racine (1998) Movement, distribution, and
October. Dabblers peaked at 4398 individuals
relative risk of mallards and bald eagles using
between 9 and 10 September. The overall mortal-
Eagle River Flats: 1997. In Interagency expanded site
ity that occurred on ERF was 240 dabblers. These
investigation: Evaluation of white phosphorus contami-
data represent a minimum number of mortalities
nation and potential treatability at Eagle River Flats,
Alaska (C.M. Collins and D. Cate, Ed.). CRREL Con-
on ERF during the fall migration. In conclusion,
tract Report to U.S. Army, Alaska, Directorate of
we feel that the baseline data collected in 1996
Public Works, FY97 Final Report, p. 2336.
and 1997 can be used to measure the effects of
We determined spatial distribution, move-
future remediation actions.
ments, turnover rate, and mortality of mallards
using Eagle River Flats, Fort Richardson, Alaska,
Cummings, J.L., P.A. Pochop, and J.E. Davis
during fall migration, 2 August to 22 October 1997.
(1994) Waterfowl distribution and movements in
We randomly captured 136 mallards between 2
Eagle River Flats. In Interagency expanded site
41
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