Fall migration

The increase of duck numbers and improved habitat conditions are proof that DU Canada continues to work in the right directions.

 

Migration in full swing

Newfoundland and Labrador's wetlands prime viewing spots for annual fall flight of waterfowl

St. John’s, NL—Did you know that the Arctic tern has the furthest migration distance to cover: nearly 20,000 kilometres? That mallards have one of the highest altitude migrations at 6,400 metres? That blue winged teal are among the first ducks to migrate south in the fall and one of the last to migrate north in the spring?

Although we know a fair bit about the waterfowl life cycle and migration, there is still much about this natural spectacle that remains unknown. This mysterious quality is why the annual fall migration never ceases to inspire awe in the humans that watch and listen as flocks of waterfowl fill the skies.

Thanks to good water conditions in primary breeding areas, the prospects for waterfowl viewing are expected to be excellent across southern Canada, including Alberta, over the next several weeks.

According to the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service, this spring there were an estimated 41.2 million birds in the areas surveyed. That’s a 14 per cent increase from 2006, and 24 per cent above the survey’s 1955-2006 average.

Henry Murkin, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s director of conservation programs, attributes this population increase to ongoing conservation efforts and to good habitat conditions over the last three years. “The increase of duck numbers and improved habitat conditions are proof that DU Canada continues to work in the right directions, especially, in the face of ongoing wetland drainage and degradation across the country.”

Newfoundland and Labrador’s wetlands serve as welcome rest stops and refueling stations for migratory birds as they travel hundreds, even thousands of kilometres along the various north-south flyway corridors that span North America.

Following are some DUC-recommended hot spots for migration viewing this fall in Newfoundland and Labrador. These areas are among the 41 wetland habitat conservation projects DUC has completed in the province:

  • St. John's:
    Lundrigan's Marsh – A 24 acre wetland where you can see black ducks and mallards.
  • Corner Brook:
    Cooks Marsh – A 25 acre wetland about 15 minutes south of Corner Brook where you can see black ducks and ring-necked ducks.
  • Grand Falls/Windsor:
    Corduroy Marsh – A 35 acre wetland where you can walk the trails and observe black ducks from the observation decks.

For more information contact:

Kelly MacDonald
Atlantic Communications Coordinator
(902) 667-8726 ext 226
k_macdonald@ducks.ca

 
BACK TO TOPBack to Top