2025 Heffley Lake Bird Count
By Doug Broadfoot
Read the background here
Our 17th annual Bird Count has wrapped up for another season. Thank you to all who participated. Overall, it was a good count. Two dead ducks were found floating. Autopsy on one showed a broken neck and internal injuries, likely caused by a boat or sea-doo strike.
Goldeneyes: Their numbers were well above last year and much higher than some previous years but not back to their original numbers.
Mallards: Our most abundant species. Their numbers were up significantly over last year and approaching original numbers when we first started recording.
Hooded Mergansers: Their numbers were up over last year and much higher than when we first started recording.
Loons: There were more loon sightings this year than last but fewer than first recorded. To date, two chicks have survived.
Geese: Geese sightings were up over last year and much higher than original numbers. Unlike some years, some remained on the lake for the full season.
Buffleheads: Their numbers were fewer than last year but higher than initially.
Ring Necked Ducks: A few were seen prior to the count but none seen after that.
Red Necked Grebes: None spotted.
Blue Winged Teals, Kingfishers and Red Breasted Mergansers: No teals, slight increase of kingfishers and four mergansers which we don’t usually see.
Eagles: Up slightly over last year and the inclusion of Golden eagles, in addition to immature and mature Bald eagles. Appears, nest on south shore was inactive.
Ospreys: Down from last year and much lower than historically. One nest appeared to be active but couldn’t confirm young.
Herons: Numbers were up over last year but significantly fewer than originally.
Turtles: Many more than last year but more sunny count days.
2025 Heffley Lake Bird Count
The total numbers reflect the species observed during seven counts. Other years are shown to show comparisons.
