Common vs Barrows Goldeneye

[Jeff Reardon]

The discussion of harlequins on the Great Lakes has me thinking about a similar situation here in the east. In Maine at least, the Barrow's Goldeneye is on the state threatened species list, while common goldeneye are legal to hunt. I am know that with binoculars on a sitting bird, I can tell Drakes of the two species apart, but doubt I could do so on the wing over my decoys with the naked eye. I am certain that I couldn't tell hens of the two species apart in the field, although I think I could in the hand--when it would be too late.

I don't target goldeneyes all that often, and when I do I avoid a handful of known areas where the Barrow's goldeneye is known to congregate. But I'd feel more comfortable shooting my occasional whistler if I had some way to distinguish the two species on the wing. Any tips?

By the way, this is not a legal issue, as Maine has its own way of dealing with any incidental take of Barrow's goldeneye by hunters:

http://maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/hunting/alert_waterfowl_hunters.htm

 

[Capt. Jack Passie]

Jeff thats a good post and a very good link to Maine Hunting of Goldeneye. Years ago here in Montauk we used to kill a bunch of Goldeneye. I donot recall anyone ever shooting a Barrows. in very sever winters I have observed several Barrows thru Binoculars. While I can tell you the difference between a Hen Mallard and a Hen Pintail on the wing, I think I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two Golden eye. Here in the east there is just not enough of them. Maybe somebody from out west could help.. Its funny you mentioned about the Harlequins. We have very few of them around here but when one does swing into our rig out Sea Ducking I have no problem picking it out Drake or Hen.
If New York had a similar law to Maine's. I don't think NY would be so forgiving.

 

[Carl]

Very interesting that they listed them at the State level based on low wintering population levels. Not sure I agree with that from a biological standpoint, unless the entire population is under threat on the breeding grounds as well. With cavity nesters, the number of nesting sites is almost always the limiting factor on populations, not wintering mortality.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Carl:
Good catch. The situation is complicated, and even more so by the international border. My understanding is that there is a pending "Species at Risk" assessment for Barrow's in Canada, which is a kind of equivalent to our federal ESA. Neither the US ESA nor the Canadian SARA deal well with populations that migrate across borders.

As I understand the biology, similar to harlequins, western populations are in good shape, but the population that overwinters on coastal rivers and the ocean from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Cod is low and declining. I believe some of the Canadian Provinces are considering provincial restrictions on hunting Barrows.

I think everyone agrees that we shouldn't be shooting a Barrows, but the listing generated a lot of controversy from folks who like to hunt common goldeneyes. I think what Maine came up with is a compromise all around.

I know a lot of duck hunters, and only one or two who have ever knowingly shot a Barrows in Maine. I also know a lot of bird watchers, and they are common enough in winter that if you want to see one, you probably can. They seem to be located in just a handful of places, but your chances of seeing one are pretty good at those spots.

 

[Bill Savoie]

I've seen Barrow's a few times here in New Hampshire, but they aren't very common. Our regs don't make any mention of them at all, so they would fall under the 'other duck' in bag limit. I've never shot one, but that's not to say that I wouldn't have if given the opportunity. Drat, now I need to pay more attention!

 

[Brad Bortner]

Carl:
Neither the US ESA nor the Canadian SARA deal well with populations that migrate across borders.

Err I wouldn't say that out loud too much or too often because that is one of the criteria that can quickly get a species listed on ESA.

As a migratory bird manager who spends his days trying to make sure that species don't need the protection of ESA, I think the current regulations in the east regarding harlis was effective at reducing hunting mortality and making sure that hunting was not limiting recovery.