FALL FLIGHT UPDATE

What effect is the unusual weather having on record high numbers of migrating ducks and geese?

Waterfowl enthusiast all over North America are awaiting the largest flight of ducks in 50 years. Biologists warn that this year's unusual warm and dry conditions in many areas could mean many birds might alter their traditional migrating behavior. Many ducks and geese won't move south until cold weather freezes their water resources. This years persistent, warm weather keeps many birds farther north than usual at this time of year.

Also much of the country is experiencing drought conditions. That means many of the water fowl will fly south into some of the poorest habitat we've ever seen. In many traditional water fowl wintering and migration areas, wetland projects created by Ducks unlimited, private land owners, government agencies and others providing some of the only habitat available to wetland dependent species. Local Wildlife Rangers must enforce various flooding agreements to ensure these artificially created wetlands will provide maximum benefit to the water fowl.

The US Fish & Wild Life Service predicts 105 million ducks will fly south this fall. That is more birds at any time since the first index 50 years ago. Water fowl experts credit several years of excellent spring and summer weather on the bird's northern breeding grounds and conservation efforts by many including hunters.

This seems like great news to hunters, but weather and precipitation all along the traditional flyways will play a large part in determining when, where, and how quickly water fowl will migrate. In some areas of North America that could mean less birds during parts or all of duck hunting season.

It is unfortunate that we couldn't see the great duck numbers and ideal weather patterns at the same time. This is an important reminder of the critical role that both weather and habitat play a vital role in the health of our waterfowl population. We can't do anything about the weather but we can work hard to ensure that quality habitat is in place so the ducks can survive when the water returns.

Duck's Unlimited puts 80% of the money raised directly into habitat projects. Wetlands are some of the world's most productive ecosystems. The United Sates has lost more than half of its original wetlands and continue to lose 170,000 wetland acres every year.

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