Havasu Lake Refuge - Ariz. - Calif. RESUME - DECEMBER, 1947 Weather Conditions. Rainfall on 5th brought from 3/4" to more than 1" of precipitation, depending on the locality. The balance of the month was dry. Rainfall for the past several months has been well below average, bringing drought conditions to the area where heavy summer showers fell. The month was decidedly colder than usual with several frosts, but there were several warm days after Christmas. Heavy snowfall was seen on New York and Hualpai Mountains on 7th. Phenological Data. Havasu Lake levels varied from hh6.03 on 2nd to hh6.50 on 21st (top level, 450.0). This is 6" lower than the lake has been for several years. Above Topock levels fluctuated widely, with more variation than I can remember having seen in one month's time; as a whole, however, levels were lower than usual. The new channel east from Beal Lake has continued to widen, and most of the water below Beal Lake is now flowing on the Arizona side. Lower part of most cattails and bulrushes still green at Topock on 3rd, when Eustoma exaltatum was noted still in bloom. Most of the leaves still on willows above Topock on 7th. Winter grains just well-sprouted on Colorado River Indian Reservation on 14th. Cottonwood leaves entirely fallen, willow leaves still on trees in Bill Williams Delta on 20th. General increase in Beaver activity over the entire Havasu Lake Refuge. Highlights of bird records. At least 50 Western Grebes wintering in Bill Williams Arm of Havasu Lake. 2 White Pelicans in Bill Williams Delta on 20th, otherwise apparently not wintering. Snowy Egrets wintering for first (?) time: 1 near Topock on 3rd, 1 1/4 above Topock (Goose Lake) on 4th, 2 in Bill Williams Deltas on 20th, 1 near Topock on 21st. 1 Whistling Swan seen at Beal Slough on 18th. Canada Geese increased rapidly above Topock during the month, with concentrations at Goose Lake and Beal Slough; estimated 2200 on 21st; numbers dropped somewhat during the waterfowl season which opened the 23rd and lasted into the early part of January. Snow Geese were present most of the month in a solid flock of about 600, which spent its time mostly at Icehouse Bend opposite Needles and in Goose Lake; this flock apparently put in its appearance just before the first of the month. The average waterfowl population on the refuge was estimated to have increased approximately 20% above last year's numbers. Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, and Shoveller were wintering in fewer numbers, however, especially Gadwall. There was a decided dearth of Redheads and Lesser Scaup Ducks. A few Ring-necked Ducks were wintering on lower Havasu Lake. Buffle-heads were more common than last year above Topock. Both species of Merganser were noted in small numbers. 1 male European Widgeon seen above Topock on 16th, 17th, and 18th. An American Rough-legged Hawk was seen in the Bill Williams Arm of Havasu Lake on 20th. 2 Golden Eagles are wintering in the area above Topock, centering about Beal Slough and Goose Lake. Coot population on refuge declined to about 6,000 by 31st apparently due to exhaustion of feed. There were nearly 500 Least Sandpipers in the Bill Williams Delta on 20th. Avocets were wintering: 1 seen at Topock on 7th, 5 in Bill Williams Delta on 20th. 2 Western Gulls seen above Parker Dam on 9th.