HomeWaterfowl Numbers Near 1979 Peak 
OAK HAMMOCK MARSH, MANITOBA, Sept. 17 - Migration is always an awesome sight on the Prairies but it will be even more spectacular this year thanks to waterfowl populations that are nearing the historic peak of 1979. Ducks Unlimited (DU) says this is the third consecutive year of improved habitat conditions and greater bird numbers.
"If you are 45 years of age or younger, it's likely you will have never seen a fall migration like this one,'' suggests Don Young, executive vice-president of DU.
The dramatic recovery of North America's bird populations is a result of improved water conditions coupled with years of effort on the part of conservationists to maintain and improve habitat. DU has invested over $700 million to conserve 18 million acres of Canadian habitat.
"When it finally got wet again, all the elements were in place to fuel this remarkable comeback,'' Young said.
One of the best places to view this spectacle is Manitoba's Oak Hammock Marsh, a world renowned migration stop. Over one million ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds and songbirds will visit the marsh for a much-needed fuel and rest stop. Depending on the weather and availability of food, birds will spend two to three weeks at Oak Hammock before continuing their journey to wintering grounds in the southern United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
