The final 2015 duck population trends and pond estimates from the annual USFWS Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey are now available. The estimate of 49.5 million breeding ducks was similar to last year’s estimate of 49.2 million, and 43% above the long-term average. The total pond estimate was 6.3 million, which was 12% below last year’s estimate of 7.2 million and 21% above the long-term average of 5.2 million. Despite an early spring over most of the survey area, habitat conditions were similar to or poorer than last year. In many areas, the decline in habitat conditions was due to average to below-average annual precipitation, with the exception of portions of southern Saskatchewan and central latitudes of eastern Canada.
The full report and other information can be found at Flyways.us. A further useful summary of trend values for individual species is available from Ducks Unlimited.
