Annual spring breeding waterfowl index surveys indicate average numbers of breeding mallards, lower numbers of bluewinged teal and other ducks, and large numbers of Canada geese in Minnesota, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The survey, designed specifically for mallards, estimates duck numbers for just a portion of the states. The survey areas estimated breeding mallard population index was 225,000, which is similar to the long-term average of 226,000 breeding mallards, but 21 percent lower than 2011 and 17 percent lower than the 10-year average. The blue-winged teal index was 109,000 this year compared with 214,000 in 2011 and 50 percent lower than the long-term average of 219,000 blue-winged teal.
The survey results for other ducks combined, such as wood ducks, ringnecked ducks, gadwalls, northern shovelers, canvasbacks and redheads, was 135,000, which is 29 percent lower than last year and 24 percent below the longterm average. The estimated number of wetlands (Types II-V) decreased 37 percent from last year and was 10 percent below the long-term average.
“It was a very unusual spring for weather, wetland conditions and breeding waterfowl,” said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. “We had record warm temperatures and early ice-out by late March, so ducks moved into the state early. But wetland conditions were extremely dry at that time.”
The same waterfowl survey has been conducted each May since 1968 to provide an annual index of breeding duck abundance. The survey covers 40 percent of the state, which includes much of the best remaining duck breeding habitat in Minnesota.
The complete Minnesota waterfowl report can be viewed online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
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