April 2009 Habitat Conditions in North-Central U. S.
May 7, 2009
The Northern Great Plains experienced abundant snowfall this past winter with many areas receiving record amounts of snow. Habitat conditions for waterfowl production have dramatically improved in most areas. Excellent conditions are present in most of North Dakota, northern South Dakota, northern and southeast Montana and the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Wyoming has exhibited significant habitat conditions improvement and good conditions are generally present across the state. Good habitat conditions are present in Iowa, much of Minnesota, western Montana, northwest North Dakota and southern reaches of South Dakota. A significant increase in waterfowl production is anticipated on the Northern Great Plains of the U. S. this year.
Minnesota
Significant snowfall occurred during the winter across central Minnesota and good habitat conditions are present for breeding waterfowl in this large region of the state. Southern Minnesota is not as wet and habitat conditions are considered “fair’ for waterfowl production. A wet fall, a deep frost seal and a reasonable amount of winter snow pack have resulted in water levels in the northern forest region of Minnesota being higher this spring than they have been in several years. Vernal ponds, beaver dams and streams/rivers and their flood plains are nearly all at full pool elevations. Though these wetlands are generally not as productive as prairie wetlands, these habitats cab be invertebrate rich environments as vegetated wetland margins reflood. Wild rice lakes generally had a good crop last year and this habitat is being heavily used by migrating ducks this spring. The potential exists for this to be a good production year for ducks in the forest region.
Iowa
Wetland habitat conditions in north-central Iowa are average to above average this spring. As of May 1 no major flooding such as occurred in 2008 has taken place, so it is anticipated that waterfowl production will be much better than last year in Iowa. Again, that is assuming major flooding does not occur during the peak nesting season. The migration this season appeared to be condensed. The progression of early, mid and late migrants didn’t seem to occur. Instead, it appeared that a diverse assemblage of species (ranging from pintails and blue-winged teal) seemed much more congregated together as they pushed the ice line north. Nesting efforts are underway with numerous lone mallard drakes and a few lone blue-winged teal males observed in past week or so. A fair number of later migrating blue-winged teal and northern shovelers are still moving through the state. The Canada goose breeding population is estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000 geese, similar to the recent previous year’s breeding population.
Montana
The abundant snowfall this winter on the Northern Great Plains has resulted in excellent waterfowl production habitat in northeast Montana, across much of the Hi-Line and in southeast regions of the state. Good habitat conditions are present in most of the remainder of Montana. Only in the south central region of the state are drier, average habitat conditions present. Much above average waterfowl production is expected to occur in Montana this spring and summer.
North Dakota
The winter was long, cold and white over virtually the entire state of North Dakota. Late March snowstorms put many cities above previous snowfall records. In early April when spring finally arrived major flooding along rivers and streams became the top news stories in the state. Overland flooding was commonly observed and most wetlands across the state were reflooded. Excellent waterfowl production habitat conditions are present in most of North Dakota and high production by waterfowl is expected this year. Runoff in the northwest sector of the state was less than anticipated but good habitat conditions exist in that important area. Large numbers of waterfowl arrived in mid-April and many have remained in the state. Lone mallard and pintails drakes were commonly observed in late April and groups of drakes are now being observed in early May. It appears that the early nesting ducks have made an exceptionally strong nesting effort.
South Dakota
South Dakota also experienced abundant snowfall this winter and habitat conditions in north-central and western South Dakota improved significantly. Habitat conditions in the northern areas of the state are excellent while in most areas of southern South Dakota habitat conditions are good. Above average waterfowl production is anticipated in South Dakota this spring and summer.
Colorado
Excellent habitat conditions are present in the San Luis Valley and waterfowl production is expected to be much above average on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands in this area. April snowfall improved conditions in North Park and habitat conditions are considered good in this important waterfowl production area. Across the remainder of the state, habitat conditions are considered average and fair to good production is anticipated.
Nebraska
Wetland habitat conditions are considered fair or average across the state. The good news is that western Nebraska and the northwest region of the Sandhills which had been in severe drought for several years have received average precipitation and habitat conditions are much improved in these areas and are now considered “fair”. The larger wetlands in the Sandhills have water and there are some local areas that would characterized as good habitat for waterfowl production in the Sandhills. But generally, Nebraska contains fair waterfowl habitat currently.
Wyoming
Snow pack in the Wyoming mountains was slightly above average this winter, so the rivers and streams in the state are flowing water this spring, including the North Platte River. Generally, Wyoming has good habitat conditions for waterfowl production with some areas being very good. The cold, wet weather in April negatively impacted Canada goose production but duck production is expected to be better than it has been for several years.