August 18, 2016 by Joe Albert
Memphis, Tenn. — Despite a marked decrease in pond counts in the United States and Canada, the number of breeding waterfowl – estimated at 48.36 million – dropped just slightly from last year, according to the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey released last week.
The survey, completed in May and early June, is a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service that’s taken place since 1955.
Total pond counts in the survey area were down 21 percent from last year – from 6.3 million to about 5 million – and are similar to the long-term average.
“In light of the dry conditions that were observed across much of the northern breeding grounds during the survey period, it is reassuring to see that the breeding population counts were little changed from last year,” said Scott Yaich, chief scientist for Ducks Unlimited. “But, with total pond counts similar to the long-term average, and with hunting season and winter mortality being a relatively small part of annual mortality, it’s not surprising to see that populations largely held steady.”
Last year’s total duck count, a record, was 49.52 million. This year’s counts are about 2 percent lower than 2015, but are 38 percent above the long-term average.
“The duck numbers are amazingly good,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, president of Delta Waterfowl. “Mallard numbers are especially surprising and show why they are the most abundant duck in the world. They adapt to conditions exceptionally well.”
Mallard numbers, at 11.79 million, are the highest they’ve ever been. They’re up 1 percent from last year and are 51 percent above the long-term average.
Green-winged teal estimates also set a new record – at 4.28 million they’re up 5 percent from last year and are more than twice the long-term average.
Among the species for which populations declined are blue-winged teal and pintails. The estimated blue-winged teal population was 6.69 million, which is down 22 percent from last year but is 34 percent above the long-term average. Pintail estimates dropped for a fifth year in a row. They were down 14 percent from last year, to 2.62 million. That’s 34 percent below the long-term average.
Rohwer also noted there was a 60-percent decline in pintail breeding numbers in southern Saskatchewan.
“It’s really clear that pintails overflew the prairies,” he said. “Pintails and bluewings didn’t find the seasonal and temporary wetlands they prefer for breeding, so much of the population did not settle in the prairies. When pintails overfly the prairies, production is always down.”
In the Dakotas and eastern Montana, pond counts were down by 30 percent. They were down 16 percent in prairie Canada. Total pond counts hadn’t been below the long-term average of 5.2 million since 2007.
“Wetland conditions are not very good compared to recent years,” Rohwer said. “I think duck production will be down. We have high numbers of ducks sharing fewer ponds. Ducks just don’t do as well when they’re crowded.”
On the other hand, both Delta and DU note that it’s been a wet summer in much of the prairie region, which be beneficial for late-nesting species such as gadwalls, as well as species that re-nest, such as mallards.
“What’s not reflected in the report is that there was fairly significant improvement in habitat conditions after the surveys were completed,” Yaich said. “In some key production areas, heavy June and July rains greatly improved wetland conditions. This could benefit brood rearing and the success of late-nesting species, as well as give a boost to overall production through re-nesting by early nesting species.”
Given lower pond counts and relatively dry conditions, it’s likely duck production will be about average. As a result, there will be fewer young ducks in the fall flight. Those youngsters generally are easier to decoy, and make up a large portion of the ducks that wind up in hunters’ bags.
Yaich said this year’s survey results underscore the importance of maintaining and increasing the amount of habitat on the ground.
“Watching the changing habitat over the spring and summer this year underscores the importance of two things: First, we must simply accept that habitat and populations are going to vary over time. They always have and they always will,” he said. “Second, that’s why we need to keep a steady hand on the course of our conservation efforts. Our job is to steadily make deposits into the habitat bank account so that when the precipitation and other conditions are right, the ducks will do the job that they do so well, which is to produce more ducks and provide us all a nice return on our investments.”
Minnesota counts
In Minnesota, the estimated number of wetlands – based on the DNR’s annual May survey – was about the same as last year, but 13 percent below the long-term average.
Like the continental survey, the estimated breeding mallard population in the state was up, too. However, unlike the continental survey, the number of total breeding ducks in Minnesota – an estimated 768,000 – was up 47 percent from last year.
Youth Waterfowl Day in the state is set for Saturday, Sept. 10. The regular waterfowl season opens Saturday, Sept. 24.
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Topic: Feds say: number of ducks declines (Read 1486 times)
