Breeding duck numbers on the North American nesting grounds appear up by about 8 percent, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says.
Total populations in the surveyed areas were estimated at 49.2 million breeding ducks this May and June, compared to 45.6 million in 2013. The number is 43 percent higher than the 1955-2013 average and continues a three-year trend of exceptional water conditions.
“It looks like another good waterfowl breeding year for a good portion of the prairies and boreal forest,” said Dale Hall, chief executive officers for Ducks Unlimited, a non-profit waterfowl conservation group. “Precipitation in the form of snow and rain has provided sufficient water to fill important wetlands in key breeding habitats.
“We hope this will result in good production and another great flight of birds migrating in the fall.”
The main factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in key landscapes of the prairies and boreal forest. Total pond counts for the United States and Canada combined showed 7.2 million ponds, which is similar to 2013 and 40 percent above the long-term average.
Paul Schmidt, chief conservation officer for DU, said more moisture would help in some parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan and that too much water has posed some problems in the East.
“But overall this a good breeding season, and depending on local conditions, hunters across North America should look forward to another strong fall flight,” Schmidt said.
Mallard numbers appear similar to 2013 and up 42 percent from average.
Pintails are similar to 2013 and 20 percent below average.
Greenwing teal are similar to 2013 and 69 percent above average, wigeon appear 18 percent improved from 2013 and 20 percent above average.
