Preliminary report
shows increase in breeding ducks for 2007
MEMPHIS, Tenn.,
July 11, 2007 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) today released its
preliminary report on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on
surveys conducted in May. Overall, duck populations increased 14 percent
since last year with an estimated 41.2 million breeding ducks on the surveyed
area. As a result of winter snowfall and good precipitation, habitat
conditions are similar or slightly improved compared to conditions in 2006.
"The 14 percent increase in breeding numbers for the 10
surveyed species is consistent with what Ducks Unlimited’s
field biologists have observed across the U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds
this spring," said Ducks Unlimited’s Executive
Vice President, Don Young. "Excellent brood-rearing habitat is present
in many areas and brood survival is expected to be above average."
|
2007 Breeding Ducks
By Species (in millions)
|
|
Species
|
2006
|
2007
|
% Change
from 2006
|
Change from
Long-term Avg.
|
|
Mallard
|
7.277
|
8.032
|
+10
|
+7
|
|
Gadwall
|
2.825
|
3.355
|
+19
|
+96
|
|
American wigeon
|
2.171
|
2.803
|
+29
|
+7
|
|
Green-winged teal
|
2.587
|
2.911
|
+13
|
+55
|
|
Blue-winged teal
|
5.860
|
6.694
|
+14
|
+48
|
|
Northern shoveler
|
3.680
|
4.553
|
+24
|
+106
|
|
Northern pintail
|
3.386
|
3.335
|
-2
|
-19
|
|
Redhead
|
0.916
|
1.009
|
+10
|
+60
|
|
Canvasback
|
0.691
|
0.865
|
+25
|
+53
|
|
Scaup
|
3.247
|
3.452
|
+6
|
-33
|
One of the most important elements in duck breeding success is
the amount of water present on the prairie breeding grounds. When the survey
was conducted in May, total pond counts for the United
States and Canada combined showed 7 million
ponds, a 15 percent increase from last year’s estimate, and 44 percent higher
than the long-term average.
The mallard number is 10 percent higher than last year. An estimated 8
million mallards are on the prairies this spring, compared to last year’s
estimate of 7.3 million birds. Mallard numbers are 7 percent above the
long-term average.
"The increase in mallard populations continues to keep them at levels
near the North American Waterfowl Management Plan goal," said DU’s Director of Conservation Operations, Dr. Scott Yaich.
The most positive news coming out of this year’s survey is that redheads,
canvasbacks and northern shovelers are at record
highs, and increases were also seen in two of three species of concern.
American wigeon numbers improved to
2.8 million (7 percent above the long-term average) and lesser scaup numbers improved slightly to 3.4 million. While
this slight increase is a positive mark on a 20-year decline, scaup remain 33 percent below their long-term average.
Pintail numbers remained similar to last year (down 2 percent)
and are still 19 percent below the long-term average. However, this year’s
excellent habitat conditions could benefit pintail recruitment.
"It was extremely wet across the southern prairies and
parklands in general, and the core pintail breeding areas in Saskatchewan, in
particular," said Yaich.
Nine of the 10 surveyed species increased this year. Blue-winged teal jumped
14 percent to an estimated 6.7 million birds. This is the third highest
estimate for blue-winged teal since 1955 (48 percent above their long-term
average). Green-winged teal also increased 13 percent to 2.9 million birds
(55 percent above the long-term average).
There was an estimated 3.4 million breeding gadwall on the survey area. This
boosts their population by 19 percent since last year and 96 percent above
the long-term average. For the second year, redheads also increased 10
percent to 1 million birds (60 percent above the long-term average).
Canvasbacks increased by 25 percent. Now an estimated 865,000
breeding birds are on the survey area, a healthy 53 percent above their
long-term average. Northern shovelers are at an all
time high. With 4.6 million northern shovelers on
the prairies, their numbers are 106 percent above the long-term average.
“Pintail and scaup continue to be well below their
long-term averages and remain a significant concern,” said Yaich. “DU and others are continuing with targeted
research programs on scaup and pintails that we
hope will soon give us a better understanding of the conservation actions
that will help these species recover.
"Overall, there was some improvement in populations compared to 2006.
Habitat is the core factor driving the health of duck populations and the
size of the fall flight," said Yaich.
"When it is wet, there is still enough breeding habitat to maintain duck
populations at levels that can produce a good fall flight. However, that
habitat is under siege on many fronts and is being lost at alarming rates in
some places. It’s important to maintain our focus on restoring and protecting
these habitats, so they can continue to produce ducks for future
generations."
As part of its new Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign, Ducks
Unlimited recently launched two species conservation initiatives. The Mallard
Conservation Initiative is designed to conserve the mallard’s most vital
breeding, migration and wintering habitats in the prairies, and in other
areas such as the Great Lakes region, the Chesapeake Bay, the Mississippi
River watershed, the Columbia Basin and key areas of California. And, the Pintail Conservation
Initiative is an effort to restore important breeding habitat in Alberta, Saskatchewan
and the northern plains of the United States,
as well as in key migration and wintering habitats of California’s
Central Valley, the Klamath Basin, the Gulf
Coast and Mexico.
Throughout May and June, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian
Wildlife Service survey the main waterfowl breeding habitats from the
mid-continent area to Alaska.
Since 1990, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian
Wildlife Service have conducted surveys in eastern North
America. Population estimates for all species surveyed were
similar to last year and to the 1990-2006 averages. These surveys provide the
scientific basis for many management programs across the continent including
the setting of hunting regulations. This is the 52nd consecutive year of the
mid-continent survey.
Contact: Mike Checkett
(901) 758-3793
mcheckett@ducks.org