Waterfowl breeding population survey for southern Saskatchewan

              U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
and
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA
MONTANA
NORTH
DAKOTA
SOUTH
DAKOTA
NORTH BATTLEFORD
SASKATOON
PRINCE ALBERT
WYNYARD
KINDERSLEY
SWIFT CURRENT
MOOSE JAW
YORKTON
REGINA
BROADVIEW
ESTEVAN
2001
WATERFOWL B REEDING P OPULATION S URVEY
SOUTHERN S ASKATCHEWAN
31
30
33
32 34
35
TITLE: Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey for Southern Saskatchewan
STRATA SURVEYED: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35
DATES: May 9 – May 26, 2001
DATA SUPPLIED BY: United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS)
Strata 30, 31, 32, and 33
Aerial Crew
Pilot/Observer Philip Thorpe, Flyway Biologist, USFWS
Pilot/Observer Karen Bollinger, Flyway Biologist, USFWS
Ground Crew
Crew Leaders: Dan Nieman, Wildlife Biologist, CWS
Jack Smith, Wildlife Technician, CWS
Keith Warner, Wildlife Technician, CWS
Assistants: Chris Downie, Student Technician, CWS
Melanie Hosegood, Contractor, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Céleste Lévesque, Volunteer, CWS
Phyllis Nieman, Volunteer, CWS
Chad Park, Student Technician, CWS
Amanda Williams, Student Technician, CWS
Strata 34 and 35
Aerial Crew
Pilot/Observer: Rod King, Flyway Biologist, USFWS
Observer: Herb Bell, Wildlife Biologist, USFWS
Ground Crew
Crew Leaders: Dale Caswell, Wildlife Biologist, CWS
Marc Schuster, Wildlife Technician, CWS
Pat Rakowski, Wildlife Biologist, CWS
Darcy Pisiak, Wildlife Technician, CWS
Martin Van Osh, Wildlife Technician, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Assistants: Mark Blanchard, Student Technician, CWS
James Galbraith, Student Technician, CWS
Frank Baldwin Jr., Student Technician, CWS
Alain Dupuis, Student Technician, CWS
Bob Carles, General Manager, Sask. Wetland Conservation Corps.
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
2
ABSTRACT: The 2001 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey of Southern
Saskatchewan was conducted 9 May to 26 May and was consistent in design and coverage to
previous years. Below to well-below average winter precipitation and above average winter and
spring temperatures negatively impacted wetland and upland conditions across most of the
survey area. Although the May pond estimate increased slightly (9%) from the 2000 estimate, it
decreased 26% and 23% from the 10-year and the long-term means, respectively. The total duck
population estimate (6,463,300) decreased 16%, 10%, and 13% from 2000, the 10-year mean,
and the long-term mean, respectively. Percent changes for selected species compared to 2000,
the 10-year mean, and the long-term mean are as follows: mallards, -27%, -10%, -22%; northern
pintail, 47%, 12%, -47%; blue-winged teal, -22%, -11%, 5%; canvasbacks, 0%, 15%, 25%;
scaup (greater and lesser), 18%, -14%, -26%. Only poor to fair nest success is expected across
the survey area and recruitment from Southern Saskatchewan is expected to be poor for most of
the Province.
METHODS: The procedures used in conducting this year’s annual survey are described in the
Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Surveys
in North America Section III (A), (revised 1987). No changes were made this year in survey
methodology or aerial coverage (Table 1). A survey program, written by John I. Hodges
(USFWS-Alaska), provided the basis for both recording observations and transcribing the data
into electronic format. This software integrated point locations {from the aircraft Global
Positioning System unit (GPS)} with each bird or pond observation. See previous report
(Thorpe 2000) for a more detailed description of the survey program.
Fifty-three (37 in strata 30-33; 16 in strata 34-35) air-ground comparison transects were used
to provide visibility correction factors for waterfowl, coot, and pond numbers. The following
air-grounds with their associated strata were not completed by the ground crew because of
personnel shortages: Environ, 30; Elfros, 31; Hendon, 31; Grand Coulee 32; Gravelbourg, 32;
Kincaid, 32; East End, 33. In addition, Lawson (32) and Peterson (31) air-grounds were both
shortened from 18 miles to 10 miles.
The aerial survey crew remained the same for strata 34-35, but for the third straight year, a
new observer flew in strata 30-33. The primary pilot/observer, Philip Thorpe, was joined this
year by Karen S. Bollinger. For the previous 2 years (1999 and 2000), she had been a part of the
aerial team surveying the Western Dakotas and Montana. Personnel changes were also made in
both ground crews (i.e., two new assistants in each), but key crew leaders remained the same.
All new personnel were provided initial training in duck identification, pond classification, and
survey procedures. Each was closely monitored for accuracy in identification and compliance
with established procedures throughout the survey.
The survey was initiated 9 May and was completed 26 May. A Cessna 206 (Cessna 206
amphibian in strata 34-35) was used as the survey aircraft this year in all strata. Approximately
71 and 23 hours of flight time were required to complete the survey within strata 30-33 and strata
34-35, respectively. One survey day was lost to weather in strata 30-33 and no weather days
occurred in strata 34-35.
WEATHER AND HABITAT CONDITIONS: Another below average year for precipitation has
resulted in poor to fair upland and wetland habitat conditions across most of the Southern
Saskatchewan survey area. Overall, the majority of the survey area during the late summer and
fall of 2000 received below average precipitation (60-85% of average), except in the north
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
3
central and northeast, which received well-below average precipitation (<40-60% of average)
(Agriculture and Agri-food Canada 2001). The exception was an area between Swift Current
and Moose Jaw that received well-above average precipitation (150-200% of average). Winter
precipitation ranged from average in the southeast, below average in the central and northeast
parts of the survey area, and well-below average in the west. Snowfall was below average
except in the southeast and east central parts of the Province where it was above average (115-
150% of average). Conditions did not improve in April and May and were well-below average
in the northwest and northeast and only average in the southeast; extremely dry conditions
(<40% of average precipitation) existed over a large part of the west and southwest from
Rosetown to Regina south to the U.S. border.
Normal temperatures predominated across Southern Saskatchewan from late summer through
October 2000. November and December were characterized by below average temperatures (2-
6o C below average) and the late winter and early spring was characterized by average to well-above
average temperatures (January 6-10 oC above average) (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
2001). Temperatures during the May survey were average to 1-2 oC above average.
Below average snowfall and dry soil moisture conditions at freeze up resulted in well-below
average runoff across most of the survey area, except for the southeast corner of the Province,
which reported above average runoff (Sask Water 2001). Noticeably absent from the landscape
this year were ephemeral, temporary, and seasonal wetlands that are normally abundant during
the spring survey.
As of the 4 June Crop Report (Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2001), topsoil moisture,
pasture, and hayland conditions were rated as poor to fair across the majority of the survey area;
the southeast was again the exception with good conditions reported for topsoil, pasture, and
hayland. Seeding progress was ahead of the five-year average (88% seeded) and nearly
complete (99% seeded) by the first week in June (Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2001).
The May pond estimate (1,535,700) was about the same as the 2000 estimate (1,403,700) but
was 26.0% down from the 10-year mean and 23.4% down from the long-term mean (Table 3,
Figure 1). Overall, the 2001 May pond estimate was the 18th driest since 1961. The Parkland
strata (strata 30 and 31) were most affected by the below average precipitation and both were
down about 51% from last year. Stratum 30 pond estimates were the lowest (driest) on record
and stratum 31 estimates ranked as the 4th driest on record. Wetlands in the southwest, although
slightly improved from last year, still ranked as the 6th driest year on record. Brood habitat
during the survey was considered poor across most of the survey area, except for southeast and
south central Saskatchewan, which were considered fair to good.
BREEDING POPULATION ESTIMATES: The total duck population estimate for Southern
Saskatchewan decreased 15.8% from the 2000 estimate, 9.9% from the 10-year mean, and 13.1%
from the long-term mean (Table 2). The total dabbling duck population estimate decreased
16.1% from 2000 and most dabbling species estimates were down this year (Table 2, Figure 1).
The 2001 mallard population estimate decreased 27.2% from the 2000 estimate and dropped
below the 10-year and long-term means for the first time since 1994 (Figure 1). The blue-winged
teal estimate was down 21.9% and 11.2% from the 2000 estimate and the 10-year mean,
but remained slightly above the long-term mean (5.0%). The 2001 northern pintail estimate was
46.7% and 11.9% above the 2000 estimate and the 10-year mean, but remained 46.9% below the
long-term mean (Table 2). The American wigeon estimate was the lowest since 1990 (Appendix
1) and was 60.6% below the long-term mean (Table 2).
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
4
The total diving duck population estimate was down 15.0% compared to the 2000 estimate.
Many diving species showed declines compared to last year, although there was no change in the
canvasback estimate and the combined scaup (greater and lesser) estimate was up 17.5% this
year (Table 2). Scaup continue to be the only true diving duck species that remain below the
long-term mean (Table 2).
The American coot estimate was down 19.9% from the 2000 estimate but was still the eighth
highest on record and remains 54.6% above the long-term mean (Table 2, Appendix 1). The
Canada goose estimate remained about the same as the 2000 estimate and ranked as the fourth
highest estimate on record (Appendix 1).
CONCLUSIONS: Another dry year in Southern Saskatchewan has resulted in poor habitat
conditions for ducks across the Province. Population estimates for most species of waterfowl (14
of 19) were down this year. Poor to non-existent wetland habitat can probably be attributed to
most of the declines for the survey area. Although wetland numbers were up in some strata,
parkland strata (30-31) were the driest they have been since the early 1990’s. Because these
wetlands in the Parklands are generally more permanent and therefore, more resistant to
fluctuations in precipitation, this area is important for many waterfowl species when periodic
drought cycles dry up the grasslands.
We observed mallards, a common parkland nesting species, in flocks of 3-6 males by the third
week of the survey. Generally, this is interpreted to mean that nesting is well underway and that
males are preparing to migrate to molting marshes. In a dry year like this one, it may also mean
that renesting attempts were already ending by mid to late May.
American wigeon, another species common in the northern forests, also breed successfully on
the grasslands and parklands of Saskatchewan. Wigeon estimates were down again this year and
population estimates have been in a long-term decline in Southern Saskatchewan since the late
1970’s to early 1980’s. Early reports from other survey areas have not indicated large influxes
of birds that may have come from Saskatchewan.
The decline in some species of diving ducks in the Province may be due to the drought in the
Parklands since these species depend on semi-permanent and permanent wetlands. The drought
may also explain the decline in some of the sea duck species, such as goldeneyes and
buffleheads, all common boreal forest nesters that also breed in the Parklands.
In drought years, many ducks move to areas with better (or more stable) habitat or choose to
forego breeding for the year. When the grasslands are dry, northern pintails normally move to
the boreal forests and tundra of northern Canada and Alaska. This year, it appears many pintails
moved into southeast Saskatchewan to take advantage of the improved wetlands and flooded
fields of crop stubble. Many of these pintails may have moved into the area from Montana,
Alberta, and western Saskatchewan where extreme drought conditions persist. Numerous flocks
and breeding pairs were observed during the beginning of the month; but given the extensive
agriculture in the area and the pintail’s habit of nesting in crop stubble, it is unlikely that good
production and recruitment will come about.
Droughts are a common and important occurrence on the prairies and Southern Saskatchewan
appears to be entering a drought cycle that will influence duck populations for the next several
years. Waterfowl are highly adapted to these cycles and move in and out of our political
boundaries during these cycles. Because of this, it is important when considering current and
future increases or decreases in population estimates to use a composite of habitat conditions and
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
5
waterfowl estimates from all survey areas to determine if changes in population estimates are
local anomalies or regional trends.
LITERATURE CITED
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. 2001. Drought Watch on the Prairies.
(http://aceis.agr.ca/pfra/drought.htm).
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. 2001. Crop Report, June 4, 2001. Report Number 10.
(http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt010604.asp).
Sask Water. 2001. Streamflow Forecast and Water Supply Outlook for Saskatchewan. River
Forecast Centre, Basin Operations, Water Resource and Infrastructure Management
Division. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Thorpe, P. P. 2000. Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey for Southern Saskatchewan.
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Denver,
Colorado.
Submitted by: Philip Thorpe
Date: July 3, 2001
Table 1. Survey design and May 2001 coverage for Southern Saskatchewan.
Stratum
30 31 32 33 34 35 Total
Survey design:
Square miles in stratum 18,570 21,086 37,911 11,345 13,164 9,044 111,120
Square miles in sample- waterfowl 153.0 144.0 571.5 90.0 175.5 126.0 1,260.0
Square miles in sample- ponds 76.50 72.00 285.75 45.00 87.75 63.00 630.00
Linear miles in sample 612 576 2,286 360 702 504 5,040
Number of transects in sample 4 5 14 6 5 6 40
Number of segments in sample 34 32 127 20 39 28 280
Expansion factor 121.373 146.431 66.336 126.056 75.009 71.778
May 2001 coverage:
Square miles in sample- waterfowl 153.0 144.0 571.5 90.0 175.5 126.0 1,260.0
Square miles in sample- ponds 76.50 72.00 285.75 45.00 87.75 63.00 630.00
Linear miles in sample 612 576 2,286 360 702 504 5,040
Number of transects in sample 4 5 14 6 5 6 40
Number of segments in sample 34 32 127 20 39 28 280
Expansion factor 121.373 146.431 66.336 126.056 75.009 71.778
Table 2. Status of waterfowl breeding population estimates (thousands, adjusted for visibility bias) by species and stratum with comparisons against the previous year, the previous 10-year mean, and
the long-term mean for Southern Saskatchewan, May 2001.
Stratum % Change From
Species/Ponds 30 31 32 33 34 35 2001
Total
2000
Total
10-Year
Mean
Long-
Term
Mean
2000 10-Year
Mean
Long-
Term
Mean
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 217.0 235.7 563.8 60.3 334.6 238.1 1649.7 2266.7 1838.7 2116.6 -27.2% -10.3% -22.1%
Am. black duck 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 -100.0% -100.0% -100.0%
Gadwall 116.8 58.1 304.4 36.4 107.5 92.2 715.4 650.0 789.4 537.6 10.1% -9.4% 33.1%
Am. wigeon 27.0 12.3 86.6 10.6 20.7 20.0 177.3 253.1 301.5 449.9 -30.0% -41.2% -60.6%
Am. green-winged teal 41.2 42.9 27.6 0.0 45.5 45.0 202.3 294.8 254.8 230.9 -31.4% -20.6% -12.4%
Blue-winged teal 105.6 97.5 421.0 41.1 304.8 297.6 1267.5 1622.4 1428.1 1206.7 -21.9% -11.2% 5.0%
N. shoveler 56.2 40.8 233.1 51.7 143.5 192.8 718.1 899.8 871.9 618.8 -20.2% -17.6% 16.1%
N. pintail 42.4 51.7 303.4 18.4 78.1 186.0 680.0 463.6 608.0 1281.3 46.7% 11.9% -46.9%
Subtotal 606.3 539.1 1940.0 218.6 1034.8 1071.6 5410.3 6450.9 6092.9 6441.8 -16.1% -11.2% -16.0%
Divers
Redhead 35.8 21.2 48.8 1.3 76.2 40.9 224.3 323.8 237.8 190.2 -30.7% -5.7% 17.9%
Canvasback 25.6 41.7 32.4 1.3 92.6 38.5 232.2 232.2 201.5 185.2 0.0% 15.2% 25.4%
Scaup 124.2 38.0 102.7 1.3 37.9 16.6 320.6 272.8 373.1 433.6 17.5% -14.1% -26.1%
Ring-necked duck 11.6 6.1 1.2 0.0 9.7 7.7 36.3 63.9 39.2 27.4 -43.2% -7.4% 32.7%
Goldeneyes 5.3 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.6 2.1 10.2 40.5 40.1 21.8 -74.9% -74.7% -53.4%
Bufflehead 31.8 28.6 0.3 0.0 5.6 7.4 73.7 112.8 63.4 31.6 -34.7% 16.1% 132.9%
Ruddy Duck 32.8 5.1 9.7 0.0 64.8 21.9 134.3 168.2 122.5 97.1 -20.2% 9.6% 38.3%
Subtotal 267.2 141.8 195.0 3.9 288.4 135.2 1031.5 1214.2 1077.5 986.9 -15.0% -4.3% 4.5%
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 -- -100.0% -100.0%
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -- -- --
Scoters 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.4 3.5 -- -78.5% -91.1%
Mergansers 14.6 3.7 1.3 1.6 0.0 0.0 21.2 9.2 5.3 4.6 130.7% 302.2% 364.2%
Subtotal 14.9 3.7 1.3 1.6 0.0 0.0 21.5 9.2 6.8 8.0 134.0% 216.7% 167.3%
Total Ducks 888.4 684.6 2136.3 224.1 1323.2 1206.8 6463.3 7674.2 7177.2 7436.7 -15.8% -9.9% -13.1%
Canada Goose 61.2 76.8 85.6 11.6 34.1 19.9 289.1 294.4 228.1 84.5 -1.8% 26.7% 242.3%
Am. coot 86.9 6.3 65.0 28.3 290.5 202.2 679.2 848.5 672.5 439.4 -19.9% 1.0% 54.6%
Ponds 139.7 202.4 378.9 42.0 480.1 292.8 1535.7 1403.7 2074.7 2003.9 9.4% -26.0% -23.4%
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
8
Table 3. Long-term trend in adjusted May pond estimates (thousands) by stratum with comparisons against the
previous year, the previous 10-year mean, and the long-term mean for Southern Saskatchewan.
Stratum
Year 30 31 32 33 34 35 Total
1961 142.2 219.4 252.2 80.3 58.9 41.8 794.9
1962 160.3 383.4 311.1 45.2 269.4 59.9 1229.3
1963 145.0 198.5 268.9 43.3 239.1 129.7 1024.5
1964 196.9 357.3 322.6 64.7 481.8 394.0 1817.2
1965 327.9 439.9 610.1 112.2 435.1 332.2 2257.4
1966 350.8 587.3 595.1 133.0 569.7 388.5 2624.3
1967 282.3 642.1 688.8 194.9 545.1 299.0 2652.2
1968 231.4 329.6 404.2 65.1 123.6 58.5 1212.5
1969 386.7 469.7 781.8 140.0 267.1 179.6 2225.0
1970 278.1 603.7 733.4 102.6 721.3 518.1 2957.1
1971 294.3 407.0 495.3 120.4 608.7 391.7 2317.4
1972 349.1 646.2 357.2 63.1 546.0 302.8 2264.4
1973 266.8 466.6 326.8 85.7 227.6 117.0 1490.4
1974 427.6 836.7 755.0 122.9 943.1 460.9 3546.3
1975 395.3 806.1 785.7 192.7 763.9 480.9 3424.7
1976 201.9 399.0 553.4 96.8 656.6 670.8 2578.5
1977 176.1 254.7 265.7 44.5 338.7 170.3 1250.0
1978 274.1 393.6 566.4 161.6 545.5 280.7 2221.8
1979 433.4 697.5 660.4 130.2 667.8 480.9 3070.1
1980 265.4 311.3 358.2 48.1 273.3 137.2 1393.6
1981 145.9 160.5 126.2 28.4 97.3 52.6 611.0
1982 283.6 629.7 704.5 119.0 247.5 210.4 2194.7
1983 384.9 715.4 711.9 96.0 464.6 323.3 2696.2
1984 283.1 548.3 266.9 35.2 260.3 131.9 1525.8
1985 622.3 737.1 722.9 108.0 560.4 207.8 2958.5
1986 343.8 402.5 615.2 112.8 529.1 346.3 2349.6
1987 223.8 260.9 347.5 150.9 251.5 184.3 1418.9
1988 217.6 378.7 149.1 37.1 213.8 63.4 1059.8
1989 208.1 220.6 222.9 71.1 63.9 73.1 859.7
1990 213.0 284.9 277.1 56.8 453.6 97.4 1382.8
1991 194.8 213.2 437.3 157.1 257.8 144.8 1405.1
1992 247.9 376.4 349.8 34.5 378.3 229.1 1615.9
1993 167.7 189.6 337.3 94.0 203.0 96.3 1087.9
1994 407.3 564.7 742.9 178.0 472.3 288.0 2653.1
1995 344.9 680.9 343.5 52.7 561.0 331.4 2314.4
1996 408.3 666.9 1041.4 197.6 573.0 381.6 3268.9
1997 461.6 497.4 972.1 163.4 578.1 319.5 2992.0
1998 146.5 284.6 345.0 49.3 403.0 241.8 1470.2
1999 313.1 344.4 807.0 93.5 614.9 362.3 2535.3
2000 214.4 272.9 322.5 36.6 348.1 209.2 1403.7
2001 139.7 202.4 378.9 42.0 480.1 292.8 1535.7
10-year Mean 290.7 409.1 569.9 105.7 439.0 260.4 2074.7
Long-term Mean 285.5 447.0 498.4 98.0 420.4 254.7 2003.9
Percent Change:
From 2000 -34.9% -25.8% 17.5% 14.7% 37.9% 39.9% 9.4%
From 10-year Mean -51.9% -50.5% -33.5% -60.3% 9.4% 12.4% -26.0%
From Long-term Mean -51.1% -54.7% -24.0% -57.2% 14.2% 14.9% -23.4%
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
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Appendix 1. Long-term trend in adjusted waterfowl breeding population estimates (thousands) for Southern
Saskatchewan.
Species/Ponds 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 3317.2 4691.4 3987.9 4534.0 2152.2 2967.5 1649.7 1125.9 1551.4 1387.3
Am. black duck 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 359.0 422.1 375.7 136.7 171.4 227.0 126.8 342.7 319.4 317.6
Am. wigeon 620.4 946.2 634.0 473.1 472.6 365.2 238.0 150.2 237.3 310.1
Am. green-winged teal 359.6 484.3 252.0 182.3 110.0 205.5 101.7 44.2 73.8 69.1
Blue-winged teal 2068.5 2542.7 1924.3 1650.7 1087.0 1112.8 583.0 383.8 504.9 735.8
N. shoveler 667.1 854.4 637.9 335.4 264.5 604.3 233.9 79.8 196.9 375.3
N. pintail 5076.5 6222.2 3245.9 1813.0 775.0 1665.5 846.7 581.1 823.9 853.4
Subtotal 12468.6 16163.3 11058.3 9125.2 5032.7 7147.9 3779.8 2707.7 3707.6 4048.5
Divers
Redhead 215.4 449.1 266.8 143.5 108.6 134.2 46.6 150.7 44.6 105.3
Canvasback 266.2 397.4 362.0 249.7 81.2 118.1 121.0 175.7 90.9 107.7
Scaup 858.3 1274.7 898.1 520.0 683.1 484.5 419.5 418.8 174.4 162.9
Ring-necked duck 27.2 16.9 10.9 11.7 27.6 13.8 8.4 0.0 20.8 9.6
Goldeneyes 11.8 21.2 17.7 9.8 13.3 21.4 10.6 7.8 3.9 2.6
Bufflehead 7.6 8.8 14.2 7.5 9.0 13.4 9.5 2.0 11.2 13.2
Ruddy Duck 128.7 231.8 126.1 66.2 256.1 116.8 71.4 59.6 38.5 34.3
Subtotal 1515.3 2399.9 1695.9 1008.4 1178.8 902.1 686.9 814.5 384.4 435.5
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 5.4 13.4 0.8 10.0 4.9 5.5 2.6 0.0 3.8 5.9
Mergansers 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 11.4 2.6 0.0 9.4 2.4
Subtotal 5.9 13.4 0.8 10.0 5.3 16.9 5.2 0.0 13.2 8.3
Total Ducks 13989.9 18576.6 12755.0 10143.5 6216.9 8066.8 4471.9 3522.2 4105.2 4492.3
Canada Goose 5.6 0.8 0.0 14.2 7.8 15.0 11.4 13.9 9.9 19.2
Am. coot 360.7 604.7 438.8 127.5 145.3 112.0 70.5 79.0 27.4 50.5
Ponds 794.9 1229.3 1024.5 1817.2
Species/Ponds 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 1069.9 1975.6 1888.4 2132.2 2180.0 2945.5 3407.2 2711.5 2369.1 2073.8
Am. black duck 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 481.2 575.4 409.2 679.9 463.5 511.5 590.2 488.8 451.5 644.7
Am. wigeon 317.7 302.1 649.1 362.8 831.7 819.3 951.4 772.3 474.4 633.2
Am. green-winged teal 125.3 114.2 367.7 200.7 408.8 801.4 386.9 232.2 331.2 295.4
Blue-winged teal 669.1 909.7 1395.7 720.2 966.6 1552.6 1291.4 1012.9 887.9 1312.2
N. shoveler 293.6 809.9 807.7 479.4 777.4 760.7 907.7 921.9 538.4 705.2
N. pintail 716.6 1504.8 1671.1 809.2 1956.2 2417.2 2222.0 2261.6 1006.3 2186.0
Subtotal 3673.4 6191.7 7188.9 5384.3 7584.0 9808.1 9757.0 8401.2 6058.7 7850.5
Divers
Redhead 114.1 124.6 176.0 134.9 137.8 179.6 169.3 158.6 176.3 237.6
Canvasback 126.5 167.8 137.5 99.5 162.4 238.9 202.1 135.3 228.9 181.8
Scaup 257.3 193.5 323.4 95.6 305.0 322.8 222.4 242.6 230.4 377.9
Ring-necked duck 23.2 16.0 10.4 1.5 6.5 13.9 7.2 8.5 8.2 42.6
Goldeneyes 8.8 10.5 14.3 22.5 8.7 15.5 14.3 4.6 20.6 13.9
Bufflehead 22.9 14.4 18.1 29.5 39.2 20.5 12.6 31.7 17.9 19.1
Ruddy Duck 42.6 77.1 58.7 83.3 55.0 42.1 60.2 67.2 116.0 98.5
Subtotal 595.4 603.9 738.3 466.9 714.6 833.4 688.0 648.4 798.3 971.4
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 8.4 2.6 2.0 6.2 3.7 0.5 5.2 2.5 4.7 2.3
Mergansers 5.2 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.4 8.8 1.3 0.0 2.2 0.5
Subtotal 13.6 2.6 2.0 7.2 5.1 9.3 6.4 2.5 6.9 2.7
Total Ducks 4282.4 6798.2 7929.2 5858.5 8303.7 10650.8 10451.5 9052.1 6864.0 8824.6
Canada Goose 12.8 16.9 8.0 4.9 28.6 22.1 47.3 26.7 16.4 25.2
Am. coot 63.6 83.4 179.0 214.3 203.8 450.3 481.5 284.9 465.9 544.3
Ponds 2257.4 2624.3 2652.2 1212.5 2225.0 2957.1 2317.4 2264.4 1490.4 3546.3
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
10
Appendix 1 (continued). Long-term trend in adjusted waterfowl breeding population estimates (thousands) for
Southern Saskatchewan.
Species/Ponds 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 2449.2 3044.7 2869.3 1917.6 2244.2 2263.0 1509.8 1941.1 1670.1 1364.7
Am. black duck 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 744.6 679.4 607.5 532.9 695.5 474.6 409.5 619.7 573.3 411.8
Am. wigeon 893.7 720.1 490.7 519.9 784.1 610.4 211.7 594.3 675.0 322.3
Am. green-winged teal 412.8 356.5 168.1 233.9 316.0 174.3 140.9 112.9 172.4 132.7
Blue-winged teal 2360.2 1799.6 1631.3 902.4 1482.8 1307.2 781.5 605.9 963.2 993.6
N. shoveler 730.3 822.9 422.7 426.7 692.4 494.7 335.3 699.0 792.8 370.9
N. pintail 2050.3 2549.6 672.5 961.8 1579.9 897.6 526.2 1222.0 1029.4 492.1
Subtotal 9641.5 9972.8 6862.2 5495.0 7795.1 6221.8 3914.8 5795.0 5876.3 4088.1
Divers
Redhead 305.7 311.7 224.3 130.3 220.5 190.9 138.4 123.4 232.2 201.6
Canvasback 252.9 283.3 256.5 129.0 280.9 307.2 110.1 151.9 212.7 157.7
Scaup 622.2 504.6 702.2 526.2 796.5 629.0 277.1 496.6 844.8 510.2
Ring-necked duck 53.8 42.6 39.0 45.1 46.8 55.5 41.0 69.8 21.8 42.7
Goldeneyes 16.4 15.9 64.8 14.0 35.7 29.4 20.1 20.8 16.2 15.2
Bufflehead 43.7 23.8 38.5 40.7 42.4 23.9 29.2 24.7 36.2 27.6
Ruddy Duck 80.3 58.4 101.8 50.0 91.1 57.9 49.7 181.9 108.5 78.9
Subtotal 1374.9 1240.3 1427.2 935.2 1514.0 1293.8 665.7 1069.1 1472.5 1033.8
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 7.2 1.1 4.3 2.6 12.6 1.7 0.5 3.3 2.6 3.0
Mergansers 7.5 5.3 3.4 6.5 13.0 6.8 14.6 3.4 5.9 17.7
Subtotal 14.7 6.4 7.6 9.1 25.6 8.6 15.0 6.7 8.5 20.8
Total Ducks 11031.1 11219.5 8297.0 6439.4 9334.7 7524.2 4595.6 6870.8 7357.3 5142.7
Canada Goose 25.0 34.8 25.6 35.3 42.4 44.0 59.0 62.5 85.0 91.3
Am. coot 799.8 1513.0 269.4 317.8 787.2 634.2 395.1 175.4 546.7 507.4
Ponds 3424.7 2578.5 1250.0 2221.8 3070.1 1393.6 611.0 2194.7 2696.2 1525.8
Species/Ponds 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 1173.3 1542.6 1273.3 1389.2 951.7 1253.7 1031.1 1293.4 1036.4 1380.3
Am. black duck 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 588.4 559.9 539.1 376.2 387.9 539.5 507.7 626.9 429.6 639.8
Am. wigeon 290.1 292.3 159.4 194.1 181.4 177.3 234.3 324.9 195.2 261.0
Am. green-winged teal 179.9 95.9 85.8 92.7 115.5 135.7 131.8 135.6 77.8 253.2
Blue-winged teal 1327.3 876.5 674.8 755.3 578.4 875.5 936.7 1362.4 570.1 980.2
N. shoveler 671.0 538.8 375.8 428.3 243.8 447.8 473.4 571.9 327.4 737.5
N. pintail 520.6 545.9 343.8 113.8 363.7 336.7 221.0 456.9 240.4 785.2
Subtotal 4750.7 4451.8 3453.1 3349.6 2822.5 3766.1 3536.4 4772.4 2876.8 5037.1
Divers
Redhead 219.6 181.6 154.3 189.3 137.8 137.2 131.1 150.3 85.7 183.5
Canvasback 118.8 127.2 184.2 119.0 81.5 79.7 130.5 95.7 93.0 117.7
Scaup 319.8 468.9 278.2 366.9 208.1 199.3 265.4 438.6 352.1 343.9
Ring-necked duck 21.4 13.7 29.3 30.7 8.6 19.8 19.6 16.1 12.0 15.7
Goldeneyes 27.1 19.9 22.7 4.3 20.2 5.7 18.0 44.4 34.7 34.8
Bufflehead 26.9 33.9 32.9 20.4 21.9 31.7 44.3 37.6 43.9 42.1
Ruddy Duck 128.3 120.2 105.6 61.2 80.1 56.2 58.5 116.1 78.1 102.2
Subtotal 861.8 965.5 807.1 791.9 558.2 529.7 667.4 898.7 699.5 839.8
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.6
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 2.6 1.7 2.3 2.2 2.3 4.3 5.2 1.8 0.9 3.6
Mergansers 1.9 0.0 6.9 5.8 3.7 7.9 6.5 3.8 3.5 2.3
Subtotal 4.5 1.7 9.1 8.0 6.0 12.3 11.6 5.6 4.8 6.5
Total Ducks 5617.0 5419.1 4269.3 4149.5 3386.6 4308.1 4215.4 5676.7 3581.0 5883.3
Canada Goose 94.7 117.3 118.4 116.2 162.2 184.0 188.7 140.5 163.1 196.6
Am. coot 530.6 315.0 241.7 930.7 276.2 261.5 366.6 442.6 111.8 383.3
Ponds 2958.5 2349.6 1418.9 1059.8 859.7 1382.8 1405.1 1615.9 1087.9 2653.1
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
11
Appendix 1 (continued). Long-term trend in adjusted waterfowl breeding population estimates (thousands) for
Southern Saskatchewan.
Species/Ponds 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Ducks
Dabblers
Mallard 1808.5 2142.7 2450.8 2448.7 2528.6 2266.7 1649.7
Am. black duck 0.4 0.0 0.0 3.3 0.4 0.4 0.0
Gadwall 583.6 930.1 1155.3 1342.0 1028.7 650.0 715.4
Am. wigeon 401.8 311.8 381.9 305.5 345.5 253.1 177.3
Am. green-winged teal 271.3 351.2 418.5 271.2 342.2 294.8 202.3
Blue-winged teal 1088.4 2046.6 1974.4 1589.0 2110.9 1622.4 1267.5
N. shoveler 763.9 1212.8 1660.7 790.5 1281.3 899.8 718.1
N. pintail 554.2 807.4 1123.9 551.8 875.2 463.6 680.0
Subtotal 5472.2 7802.8 9165.4 7302.2 8512.9 6450.9 5410.3
Divers
Redhead 345.1 293.2 308.5 268.1 288.3 323.8 224.3
Canvasback 282.3 283.0 280.1 246.9 253.4 232.2 232.2
Scaup 518.6 462.5 489.5 300.2 287.4 272.8 320.6
Ring-necked duck 36.0 82.9 58.1 30.8 57.2 63.9 36.3
Goldeneyes 41.9 53.0 37.4 66.7 29.5 40.5 10.2
Bufflehead 41.9 53.0 91.6 78.8 88.4 112.8 73.7
Ruddy Duck 158.1 166.7 124.1 82.3 170.3 168.2 134.3
Subtotal 1423.9 1394.2 1389.2 1073.7 1174.5 1214.2 1031.5
Miscellaneous
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 0.3 0.9 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3
Mergansers 7.5 4.0 6.5 6.8 2.6 9.2 21.2
Subtotal 7.9 4.9 7.9 6.9 2.6 9.2 21.5
Total Ducks 6903.9 9201.9 10562.5 8382.9 9690.0 7674.2 6463.3
Canada Goose 220.0 176.8 289.6 373.3 238.4 294.4 289.1
Am. coot 625.2 868.1 1661.1 594.3 823.7 848.5 679.2
Ponds 2314.4 3268.9 2992.0 1470.2 2535.3 1403.7 1535.7
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
Figure 1. Population indices for individual waterfowl species and ponds for Southern
Saskatchewan, May 2001.
12
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
Figure 1. Continued.
13
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
Figure 1. Continued.
14
Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Southern Saskatchewan
Figure 1. Continued.
15