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Mallard (Anas platyrynchos)
Preliminary report shows duck numbers increased 13 per cent from last year.
Duck numbers up despite mixed habitat conditions
Preliminary survey results show 13 per cent increase of birds over 2008
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., July 3, 2009 - Water returned to Canadian and U.S. breeding grounds this spring and the ducks have responded, according to preliminary results of the 2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Canadian Wildlife Services’ Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. The data on duck population and habitat trends in this annual report are used to develop the recommendations for the waterfowl hunting regulations for this upcoming fall.
“In spite of some variability in habitat conditions this year, the current strong duck populations reflect in part the good habitat conditions and sustained production on the Canadian Prairies from 2002 through 2007,” said Jeff Nelson, CEO & Executive Vice President, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). “Clearly, birds will respond with a strong breeding effort if the necessary habitat and water exist.”
The total pond estimate in the Canadian and U.S. prairies was 6.4 million, up 45% over 2008 and 31% over the long-term average. Although the western Canadian prairies were fairly dry this spring, the birds have redistributed to the eastern prairies in Canada and the northern U.S. where conditions are much better in 2009.
The Canadian Parklands received below-normal precipitation this past winter and spring but the area continued to benefit from the wet conditions in 2007. While habitat conditions north in the boreal forest are considered good, the spring breakup was delayed by as much as three weeks and some lakes were frozen into early June. Overall habitat conditions in this important region were considered good, but goose production may have been negatively impacted in some areas.
The 2009 report estimated 42 million breeding ducks in the traditional waterfowl survey areas. This estimate represents a 13 per cent increase over last year's estimate of 37.3 million ducks and is 25 percent above the 1955-2008 long-term average. The report was full of good news for all ten species of waterfowl surveyed. Of the commonly surveyed species, four of the 10 showed a significant increase, and six of 10 were significantly above their long-term averages. Notable increases from 2008 include mallards (+10 per cent), canvasbacks (+35 per cent), northern shovelers (+25 per cent) and northern pintails (+23 per cent). “2009 is a perfect example of waterfowl responding to water on the landscape,” said Henry Murkin, DUC’s Director of Conservation Programs. “Our conservation objective remains to ensure that during periods of good moisture the birds find the necessary basins and associated cover to enable them to respond to the opportunity provided by the wet conditions.”
Murkin added that the 2009 ducks trends also reinforce the need to stay focused on species of concern like pintail and scaup. These species have not returned to their long-term population levels in spite of improved water conditions. “We must continue to focus our science efforts on these species to determine the main factors limiting their population levels and thereby allow conservation efforts to address those factors,” Murkin said.
Permanent habitat loss reduces the value of the landscape to waterfowl no matter what the annual moisture conditions may be. Nelson said that the increase of duck numbers and improved habitat conditions are proof that DUC’s habitat conservation work is critical in the face of ongoing wetland drainage and degradation across Canada.
“We have targeted the top waterfowl producing areas as being the best use of our investments,” Nelson said. “We are also working closely with the federal and provincial governments to provide science and guidance as policies for sustainability are developed for Canada’s agricultural and forest lands. Our goal is to provide land managers more reasons to keep wetlands on the landscape for the benefit of waterfowl while providing for other wildlife and people.”
For more information, contact:
Leigh Patterson, l_patterson@ducks.ca
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (204) 467-3306
