Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
"Sanding" is a natural phenomenon in which the surf becomes heavy with sand and ducks resting in rafts from 200 to 3,000 birds become fouled with sand. Ducks involved include American wigeon (Anas americana), northern pintail (Anas acuta), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), green-winged teal (Anas crecca), lesser scaup (Aythya affinis), canvasback (Aythya valisineria), and redhead (Aythya americana). This phenomenon occurs when the surf at low tide roils steeply sloping sandy beaches. Excessive losses of birds usually occur in moderately rough seas immediately following storms and with heavy fog off shore. Loss of waterfowl in this manner usually occurs several times during the year but is prevalent mainly during the hunting season. At these times the birds seek sanctuary in the ocean as an escape from hunters who harass them regularly on inland feeding areas. During the 2-months of this study it is probable that 6,000-9,000 birds perished along 25 mi of beaches.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/disturb/bibli207.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 05:31:56 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]
