A survey of bird use of the wetlands of the Tatchun-to-Minto Yukon Valley

"The 48-km stretch of the Yukon Valley from the mouth of Tatchun Creek to Minto Crossing was surveyed. 110 islands, just over 50 back channels, plus 14 off-channel ponds constitute the wetland habitat most used by birds. Two key areas were groupings of islands and mid-channel bars, one near Yukon Crossing and one near the mouth of McCabe creek. We found 31 species of water birds using the area. Vegetation on river bars and islands was key. In constant successional stage, riparian willow bordered by a grass and sedge community with horsetail as the key emergent was used principally by migrating waterfowl. Breeding by waterfowl was a minor use, (5 species). A relatively dense assemblage of birds of prey indicate a highly productive area: 6 pairs of Bald eagles and 3 pairs of peregrine falcons were recorded. The inordinate mix of islands and cut off channels in the region with its obvious use by spawning salmon are key to the reason the area has such high local value. Moose, wolves, bears and a variety of small mammals along with 95 species of birds were found using the habitats of this river reach. Protecting the ecology of the area will involve maintaining the current hydrologic regime, protecting critical habitats from disturbance and avoiding contaminating the key back channels and inflow streams."--from Summary.