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Saskatchewan waterfowl research project continues 
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., May 13, 2009 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is conducting research in two key study areas across the Canadian prairies this summer, including sites near the communities of Cut Knife, Macklin, Major, Neilburg, Senlac and Unity in southern Saskatchewan, and Ceylon, Gladmar, Goodwater and Lake Alma, in western Saskatchewan. It is the second time that DUC will use these sites for research.
Researchers from DUC's science and research arm, the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR), are conducting the research as part of a ten-year study to determine how nesting success of prairie waterfowl varies in relation to the landscape types of the prairie pothole region. Common prairie duck species such as mallard, blue-winged teal, gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler, canvasback and redhead are the focus of this research, known as the Spatial and Temporal Study (SpATS). This is the eight year of data collection for the study: previous study areas in Saskatchewan have included Blaine Lake, Bredenbury, Chaplin, Humboldt, Kennedy, Kenaston, Radville, Raymore, and Shaunavon, and at locations in Alberta and Manitoba.
“Research is suggesting there is a positive relationship between waterfowl nesting success and the amount of perennial cover such as hayland, pasture, idle grassland, trees and shrubs on the landscape,” said Bob Emery, IWWR biologist and a supervisor of the study. “We’re trying to see if all types of perennial cover contribute equally to such a relationship, or are some cover types better than others.”
Within each study area, there are six study sites of 41 square kilometres each. Each site varies by the number of waterfowl pairs and area of perennial upland vegetation. About 15 researchers will be at these sites from now until August to search for duck nests, conduct waterfowl pair counts, and classify upland and wetland habitat.
The researchers are getting good support from the local communities, Emery says. “Over 50 landowners gave us permission to access their land for this research.”
Local media are invited to visit the Saskatchewan study areas. To set up an interview, please contact the DUC representative listed below.
For more information, contact:
Leigh Patterson, l_patterson@ducks.ca
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (204) 467-3306
