The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week released the May Pond Count and Breeding Duck survey, and it looks as though this years drought has had the expected effect. Total pond numbers fell 41% from last year, 48% in Prairie Canada and 32% in Northcentral U.S.
Dry conditions and a late spring were cited by the USFWS in the fall in Breeding bird numbers which declined by 14% for 2002. A partial breakdown of the numbers looks like this :
Species 2002 #’s Change from 2001 Change from long
(in thousands) term average
Mallard 7504 -5 0
Gadwall 2235 -17 37
American wigeon 2334 -6 -12
Green-winged teal 2333 -7 28
Blue-winged teal 4206 -27 -6
Northern pintail 1790 -46 -58
Redhead 565 -21 -10
Canvasback 487 -16 -14
Scaup 3524 -5 -34
(greater and lesser)
Total Duck Pop. 31181 -14 -6
Populations for the Eastern survey fared better, up 32% from last year, 41% above the long term average. While eastern Mallards saw only a slight increase (3%), Black ducks, Green-winged teal, and Mergansers all showed a strong rise from last year, up 43%, 174% and 90% respectively.
Canada goose numbers, thought not yet complete, were another bright point in the recent reports. The total population change for Canada geese from the surveys of Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, Southern Saskatchewan, Southern and Central Alberta and North and South Dakota gave an overall population increase of 76,300 for Canada geese.
With the Mid-Continent Mallard population sitting squarely on the line drawn by the Adaptive Harvest Management Plan that separates Liberal and Moderate season and bag limit packages, the final shape of the 2002-2003 season is still unclear. The final decision will be made in the coming weeks when the USFWS hands down its recommendations to the Flyway Councils. To read a summary of the report , click here.
If you are interested in reading the full report it can be found in the Reports section of the Division of Migratory Bird Management’s web site.
Both Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl have released statements on their view of the numbers and the potential effect on the upcoming season. To read the release from Delta, click here. For DU’s take on the information, click here.
The news from the USFWS came as a bit of a surprise, following the more than hopeful reports of high breeding counts released by several state wildlife management agencies. In the coming weeks more numbers should be forthcoming as the July production surveys are completed and Flyway councils meet to hammer out the shape of the 2002-2003 waterfowl season. Meanwhile, waterfowlers continue to discuss and debate the figures already in hand. A Debate that is undoubtedly fueled by the lingering memories of the strange 2001-2002 season.
