The 2008 Breeding Survey Results were released this week (link below) and despite the drought conditions across most of the Prairie Pothole Region, total breeding pairs remained 11 percent above the long-term average – and could provide yet another season of liberal framework for all four flyways.
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Total duck populations were estimated at 37.3 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 9 percent decline over last year’s estimate of 41.2 million birds, but remains 11 percent above the 1955-2007 long-term average.
Pond counts were significantly lower this year – down over 2 million ponds compared to 2007. Mallards are down 7% compared to 2007, but remain 3% above the long-term average.
|
Species
|
2007
|
2008
|
% Change
From 2007
|
% Change from Long-term Avg. |
|
May Ponds (U.S. & CAN)
|
7.003
|
4.431
|
-37
|
-10
|
|
Total Ducks
|
41.172
|
37.276
|
-9
|
+11
|
|
Mallard
|
8.307
|
7.724
|
-7
|
+3
|
|
Gadwall
|
3.356
|
2.728
|
-19
|
+56
|
|
American wigeon
|
2.807
|
2.487
|
-11
|
-5
|
|
Green-winged teal
|
2.890
|
2.980
|
+3
|
+57
|
|
Blue-winged teal
|
6.708
|
6.640
|
-1
|
+45
|
|
Northern shoveler
|
4.553
|
3.508
|
-23
|
+56
|
|
Northern pintail
|
3.335
|
2.613
|
-22
|
-36
|
|
Redhead
|
1.009
|
1.056
|
+5
|
+66
|
|
Canvasback
|
0.865
|
0.489
|
-44
|
-14
|
|
Scaup
|
3.452
|
3.738
|
+8
|
-27
|
A late spring and improved conditions in the Parklands has provided a welcomed relief for the struggling scaup population – which increased to 3.7 million breeding pairs this season.
Within the waterfowl community, there is widespread belief that the combination of habitat loss, global warming and diet changes have reduced the sustainable population of scaup to an average of 3.5 to 4 million breeding pairs. With improved breeding conditions in key nesting areas for scaup, the rebound is an indicator that supports this theory and further supports abandoning a special scaup harvest strategy.
With the exception of redheads, green-wing teal and scaup, breeding pairs were down for all other species – compared to 2007. Pintail are down 22% over 2007, and remain 36% below the long-term average. Canvasback breeding pairs are down 44% from 2007, 14% below the long-term average. Based on the significant drop, hunters should not be surprised to see a season-within-a-season for pintail and the canvasback season to be closed. While breeding pairs held just slightly below 2007 levels, duck production is expected to drop as a result of current conditions, and continued loss of grasslands.
As we prepare for the coming season and framework announcements, Waterfowler.com encourages our members to continue to support the efforts of Delta Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited and their state waterfowl organizations.
Until our next report, make a donation to your favorite conservation organization today.
