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Waterfowl Migration Articles
Lower Duck Numbers in CT Than Last Year
January 2012: Connecticut's Duck Population Fewer than Last Season
A recent aerial survey conducted by the Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) discovered fewer duck numbers than found last year. 15,893 ducks were spotted during the survey which was conducted during the first week in January, 7033 less than last year's total of 22,926. The lower numbers are more than likely a result of this winter's above average temperatures. According to the DEEP's Migratory Game Bird Program's leader Min Huang, " This year's survey conditions were relatively poor because the weeks leading up to the survey were very mild and most inland bodies of water had yet to freeze. Plus, the flying and viewing conditions were difficult the day of the survey".
The DEEP does not rely on the midwinter survey to count perspective populations in the state. The January survey is used as a "snapshot" of current bird numbers in Connecticut's area of the Atlantic Flyway.
To see the full article and interview in the Middletown Press click this link.
Rising Water Spreads Ducks Across 5 States
As the water spreads the ducks are spread thin, we're playing by mother nature's rules now!
Rain, rain, rain... ducks ducks ducks... while that sounds like a great combo it has thus far crushed the waterfowl season in Eastern Arkansas and West Tennessee. Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky seem to be the states the most saturated and most effected by the rainfall and flooding. The normally booming opening weeks of hunting seasons at Reelfoot lake and along the Cache and White Rivers in Arkansas have suffered with very little hunter success. The LBL area of Kentucky has also been hit hard by the flooding.
Teal Migration Begins
Birds Captured Taking Off At Sunrise
We are at that time of year when there are a large number of migratory water fowl transiting the area. With the change of seasons, a wide variety of avian species are heading south. Many nest in area lakes, taking off around sunrise.
When the atmospheric conditions are correct, these flocks of birds are 'visible' on the Mayville Doppler RADAR as they lift off of area lakes. As they take flight, near concentric rings become visible, expanding outward, quickly "dissipating" as the flocks disperse. Below are a few images from the Mayville Doppler captured around sunrise, Tuesday September 13 2011.
Your Migration Reports Matter!
You may be wondering about putting reports up on our migration map and some of your questions or concerns may be holding you back from posting. Let us clear some things up for you.
Louisiana: MORE DUCKS THAN LAST YEAR
Louisiana's December aerial waterfowl survey mirrored what most hunters have been experiencing: There are more ducks this year than last.
Larry Renolds, the waterfowl study leader for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the estimated 2.17 million ducks was 34% higher than last year but remains 22% below the long-term average of 2.82 million. In an interesting note for local hunters, Renolds reported that the 799,000 ducks estimated in southeast Louisiana was up 63% from last month. That Number is much higher than the 555,000 estimated last December.