WIND EFFECTS ON AECHMOPHORUS GREBE NESTING COLONIES, LAKE ALMANOR, CALIFORNIA

Abstract

 In late July and early August 2022, sustained winds of 13–42 km/hr and winds gusts of 19–79 km/hr disrupted the colonies of the Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark’s (A. clarkii) grebes nesting at Lake Almanor, Plumas Co., California. Many nests washed up on shore downwind of two nesting colonies. At this time, the decrease in the lake level from drawdown and evaporation did not threaten the colonies, so the colonies’ nearly complete failure in 2022 was due to windstorms.