The total population of breeding ducks found by aerial surveys in parts of Canada and the northern United States that have traditionally been surveyed fell to approximately 41.8 million birds. That number represents a decline of nearly 4 percent from last years record index of 43.4 million birds, but is still 27 percent above the long term average breeding population since surveys began in 1955.
"The decline in breeding populations of many species and the drier habitat conditions remind us that wetland conservation and restoration activities remain important to the long-term health of our waterfowl populations," said Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark.
Breeding populations of mallards fell 12 percent to 9.5 million, but remained 27 percent greater than their long-term average. Blue-winged teal numbers, at 7.4 million, were essentially unchanged from 1999, but 69 percent greater than the long-term average. Green-winged teal populations were up 21 percent but most other surveyed species saw slight declines, with American wigeon down 6 percent and northern shovelers down 9 percent.
Among other duck species, the breeding population of canvasbacks remained flat at about 700,000, while redhead populations fell 5 percent to 926,000. Scaup populations fell 9 percent from last years increase, and remain 25 percent below their historic average. Pintail populations also fell slightly and remain 33 percent below their long-term average.
The presence of water is critical to breeding success for waterfowl. This year, conditions in the traditional survey area were much drier than in any of the previous six years. Conditions were poor in much of Alberta, parts of Montana and western Saskatchewan, and only fair in many other areas. Only parts of northern Manitoba and the Dakotas had excellent habitat conditions.
Those dry conditions were reflected in a 41 percent decline in the number of ponds found during May surveys in prairie Canada and the U.S. The May pond survey fell to 3.9 million, from7 million ponds last year, 20 percent below the 1974-99 average. In mid-to-late June, heavy rains that fell on much of the northern prairies may have improved breeding habitat in many areas. However, heavy rains in the Dakotas may have caused flooding that destroyed nests. July surveys of broods will help determine if the June rains came in time to help duck production.
According to preliminary estimates of waterfowl harvest and hunter activity gathered during the 1999-2000 season through the National Waterfowl Harvest Survey, hunters harvested nearly 15.8 million ducks last season, a 7 percent decrease from the previous season. Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged nearly 9 days afield and harvested an average of nearly 10 ducks, down 8 percent from the previous seasons level.
"We are committed to expanding hunting opportunities on the National Wildlife Refuge System and wherever waterfowl populations can support it. Hunters remain a strong ally in the battle to conserve wetland habitat, and the Service values their support," Clark added.
The traditional breeding duck survey samples 1.3 million square miles across the north-central United States, western and northern Canada and Alaska and estimates the approximate numbers of ducks in important breeding areas.
Habitat conditions in the eastern areas of Canada and the U.S., which are not part of the traditional survey area, were also generally better than in other surveyed areas. Habitat conditions were generally good in much of the east, with the exception of southern Ontario and southern Quebec, where low water levels resulted in fair-to-poor habitat conditions.
Total breeding duck populations in the eastern survey areas remained steady from 1999 levels at about 3.2 million birds. Populations of individual species in the eastern survey areas were largely unchanged from last year, with the exception of scaup and scoters which saw significant increases; and green-winged teal, which declined measurably.
This recently-developed survey includes the eastern provinces and northeastern states and is a part of the Services effort to expand the surveys outside the traditional area. Annual survey results help guide the Service in managing its waterfowl conservation programs under the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service works in partnership with state representatives from the four flyways - the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific - that waterfowl and other birds use during their migrations, to establish regulatory frameworks on waterfowl hunting season lengths, dates and bag limits.
The Service also administers or participates in a number of programs to conserve and restore waterfowl habitat. For example, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international partnership effort, has protected, restored, or enhanced more than 5 million acres of wetland habitat since 1986. Provisions of the Farm Bill, such as the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetland Reserve Program, have provided significant acreage of wildlife habitat in the United States in recent years. The Swampbuster provision of the Farm Bill and the wetland protection provisions of the Clean Water Act also have helped conserve waterfowl habitat. And conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited have conserved and restored prime habitat for ducks.
The entire 2000 Trends in Waterfowl Breeding Populations report can be downloaded from the Services Web site at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 525 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. - FWS -
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