Gannon Narrows north of Ennismore had many ducks over the 2013 Easter weekend. In the late afternoon on 31 March, I checked the Narrows from two locations – the bridge (not recommended if significant traffic) and from the southernmost shore of Oak Orchard Estates. The strong current through the Narrows creates open water all winter and on this day the ice-free water extended from Jacob Island in Pigeon Lake to the bridge and to beyond the two islands (Kishgo and Morrsey) in Buckhorn Lake. Ice bordered some shorelines. Gannon Bay in Buckhorn Lake was totally ice-covered. Many ducks were milling about the ice border of Morrsey Island and along the ice edge over to Gannon Bay. The numbers of waterfowl that I identified on 31 March were: Common Goldeneye – 380 in Buckhorn Lake and 220 in Pigeon Lake Hooded Merganser – 30 in Buckhorn and 26 in Pigeon Common Merganser – 30 in Buckhorn and 15 in Pigeon Bufflehead – 45 in Buckhorn and 6 in Pigeon Mallard – 2 in Buckhorn and 8 in Pigeon Ring-necked Duck – 400 in Buckhorn (mainly along the ice border on Morrsey Island) Greater Scaup – 40 in Buckhorn Wood Duck – 14 in Buckhorn American Wigeon – 2 (a pair) in Buckhorn Redhead – 2 (a pair) in Buckhorn Wood Duck – 14 in Buckhorn (10 in a loose group on Morrsey ice border) Canada Goose – 15 in Buckhorn and 2 in Pigeon Swan sp (I lean towards a Trumpeter) – 1 appeared suddenly, flying in Buckhorn to and over the causeway to Pigeon. On 1 April a strong NW wind over Pigeon into Buckhorn Lake produced very rough water which probably scattered the birds, as they were much less obvious especially along the ice edges. However, I did find a large group in Buckhorn Lake along the ice border on the southeast shoreline of Oak Orchard, opposite the docking facility. In this sheltered location about 120 Common Merganser, 80 Hooded Merganser and a few Bufflehead milled about in a mixed group close to shore.
Location: Buckhorn Lake
Observer: Bryan Watt
