Waterfowl Population Status, 2009

In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1‒18, 20‒50, and 75‒77, the total duck population estimate was 42.0 ± 0.7 [SE] million birds. This estimate represents a 13% increase over last year\u27s estimate of 37.3 ± 0.6 million birds and was 25% above the long-term average (1955‒ 2008). Estimated mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 8.5 ± 0.2 million birds, which was a 10% increase over last year\u27s estimate of 7.7 ± 0.3 million birds and 13% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of gadwall (A. strepera; 3.1 ± 0.2 million) was similar to the 2008 estimate and 73% above the long-term average. Estimated American wigeon abundance (A. americana; 2.5 ± 0.1 million) was similar to 2008 and the long-term average. Estimated abundances of green-winged teal (A. crecca; 3.4 ± 0.2 million) and blue-winged teal (A. discors; 7.4 ± 0.4 million) were similar to last year\u27s estimates and well above their long-term averages (+79% and +60%, respectively). Northern shovelers (A. clypeata; 4.4 ± 0.2 million) were 25% above the 2008 estimate and remain well above their long-term average (+92%). The estimate for northern pintails (A. acuta) was 3.2 ± 0.2 million, which was 23% above the 2008 estimate of 2.6 ± 0.1 million, and 20% below the long-term average. Estimated abundance of redheads (Aythya americana; 1.0 ± 0.1 million) was similar to last year and 62% above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.7 ± 0.06 million) was 35% above the 2008 estimate (0.5 ± 0.05 million) and similar to the long-term average. The scaup estimate (A. affinis and A. marila combined; 4.2 ± 0.2 million) was similar to that of 2008 and 18% below the long-term average of 5.1 ± 0.05 million. Habitat conditions during the 2009 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by above-average moisture across the southern portions of the traditional survey area, good habitat in the eastern survey area, and late spring conditions across northern survey areas. The total pond estimate (prairie Canada and U.S. combined) was 6.4 ± 0.2 million. This was 45% above last year\u27s estimate of 4.4 ± 0.2 million ponds and 31% above the long-term average of 4.9 ± 0.03 million ponds. The 2009 estimate of ponds in prairie Canada was 3.6 ± 0.1 million. This was a 17% increase from last year\u27s estimate (3.1 ± 0.1 million) and was similar to the long-term average (3.4 ± 0.03 million). The 2009 pond estimate for the north central U.S. of 2.9 ± 0.1 million was 108% above last year\u27s estimate (1.4 ± 0.07 million) and 87% above the long-term average (1.5 ± 0.02 million). The projected mallard fall-flight index was 10.3 ± 0.9 million. The eastern survey area was restratifed in 2005 and is now composed of strata 51‒72. Estimates of mallards, scaup, scoters (black [Melanitta nigra], white-winged [M. fusca], and surf [M. perspicillata]), green-winged teal, American wigeon, bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), American black duck (Anas rubripes), ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris), mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M. merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus]), and goldeneye (common [B. clangula] and Barrow\u27s [B. islandica]) were all similar to their 2008 estimates and long-term averages