Waterfowl Population Status, 2008

• Main Authors: Garrettson, Pamela R., Moser, Timothy J., Zimpfer, Nathan, Fleming, Kathy
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2008
• Subjects: Canada; Anas acuta
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usfwspubs/406; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/usfwspubs/article/1405/viewcontent/StatusReport2008.pdf

In the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey traditional survey area (strata 1‒18, 20‒50, and 75‒77), the total duck population estimate was 37.3 ± 0.6 [SE] million birds. This was 9% lower than last year's estimate of 41.2 ± 0.7 million birds, but 11% above the 1955-2007 long-term average. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.7 ± 0.3 million birds, similar to last year's estimate of 8.3 ± 0.3 million birds and to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal (A. discors) estimated abundance was 6.6 ± 0.3 million birds similar to last year's estimate of 6.7 ± 0.4 million birds, and 45% above the long-term average. Estimated abundances of gadwall (A. strepera; 2.7 ± 0.2 million) and northern shovelers (A. clypeata; 3.5 ± 0.2 million) were lower than those of last year (‒19% and ‒23%, respectively), but both remained 56% above their long-term averages. Estimated abundance of American wigeon (A. americana; 2.5 ± 0.2 million) was similar to the 2007 estimate and the long-term average. Estimated abundances of green-winged teal (A. crecca; 3.0 ± 0.2 million) and redheads (Aythya americana; 1.1 ± 0.1 million) were similar to last year's, but were each >50% above their long-term averages. The redhead and green-winged teal estimates were the highest and the second highest ever for the traditional survey area. The canvasback (A. valisineria) estimate of 0.5 ± 0.05 million was down 44% relative to 2007's record high, and 14% below the long-term average. Northern pintails (Anas acuta; 2.6 ± 0.1 million) were 22% below last year's estimate and 36% below their long-term average. The scaup (Aythya anis and A. marila combined; 3.7 ± 0.2 million) estimate was similar to that of 2007, and remained 27% below the long-term average. Habitat conditions during the 2008 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized in many areas by a delayed spring compared to several preceding years. Drought in many parts of the traditional survey area contrasted sharply with record snow and rainfall in the ...