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MADISON – The number of waterfowl breeding in Wisconsin increased by 77 percent over 1999, according to results of the recently completed 28th annual Wisconsin Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey. The survey estimated the total waterfowl population in the spring 2000 to be 769,835. Resident Canada goose populations increased 30 percent over 99 levels to 102,644.
The survey estimated the number of waterfowl found in Wisconsin from April 24 through May 4. The Wisconsin population numbers and population counts from the prairie wetlands of the Dakotas and Canada are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine North American waterfowl populations. Data from the prairie wetlands of the Dakotas and Canada are not yet available. Wisconsin’s survey covers approximately two-thirds of the state’s area. Counts are taken from low-flying aircraft and verified through ground checks during the same period.
"We started the survey a little earlier than in past years," said Jon Bergquist, Department of Natural Resources migratory gamebird specialist. "We found wetland conditions generally poorer than last year due to a reduced spring melt and, up to that point, below normal spring precipitation. The heavy rains we’ve experienced in the south came after the survey was completed."
The heavy rains likely will have a mixed effect on duck populations explained Bergquist. Some nests may have been flooded and lost but the increase in wetland area makes for excellent brood rearing habitat once surviving eggs have hatched. Also, mallards in particular are likely to attempt to re-nest.
Mallards continued to be the most common duck in Wisconsin with a 2000 population estimated at 367,547 birds. This is up 66 percent from 1999 and is 160 percent above the 28-year average.
"Local mallard production continues to be the mainstay of our waterfowl population," Bergquist said. "The almost 368,000 birds we’re estimating for 2000 is a new state record and represents an increase in all areas of the state."
The second most prolific Wisconsin duck is the blue-winged teal with an estimated 2000 population of 100,386, up 25 percent from 1999 but down 12 percent from the long-term average.
"We’re pleased that blue-wing numbers are up but can’t offer any conclusive reason for the drop from the long-term average," said Bergquist. "We do know that mallards tend to return to nest in the area where they hatched but teal do not. Perhaps teal are finding another area more to their liking or since the two species move into and through Wisconsin at slightly different times, we may not have caught them at their peak. It’s hard to say but it’s something we’d like to look into in the future."
Total duck populations for Wisconsin in 2000 are estimated at 769,835, up 77 percent from 1999 and 110 percent over the long-term average. Total population includes other species such as ringneck, wood, black and ruddy ducks, mergansers, gadwalls, widgeon and green-winged teal. Bergquist said that the wood duck population is probably underrepresented in the count because of poor visibility of wetlands in forests compared to wetlands in non-forested areas.
Resident Canada goose populations have also continued to rise, as have problems associated with an overabundance of the birds in some urban areas, Bergquist said. The 2000 Canada goose population estimate increased 30 percent from 1999 to 102,644 birds.
Canada goose counts were not included in the survey report prior to 1986 because of a small population size. However, aerial counts of geese have increase steadily since the mid-1980s making population estimates useful indices to population trends of Canada geese.
Resident geese are those that nest in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is visited annually by migrating Canada geese, which are referred to as the Mississippi Valley Canada goose population. The Wisconsin survey attempts to count resident geese only.
The rise in resident Canada goose populations has allowed an expansion of the early September Canada goose hunting season to a statewide hunt in 2000. Bag limits will be either three or five birds depending on the hunting zone. Permits are available at license vendors and DNR Service Centers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Bergquist (608) 266-8841
Uploaded: 6/21/2000
Uploaded: 6/21/2000