Field Reports

By DU Field Biologists

Spring Habitat Conditions
Prospects for waterfowl production are mixed across key breeding areas in the United States and Canada

1. BRITISH COLUMBIA Snowfall was variable across British Columbia this winter. Mountain runoff is expected to produce very good wetland habitat along the coast, good habitat in the central interior and north, and fair habitat in the southeast. 

2. ALBERTA Winter snowfall was generally below average across Alberta, with the   parklands and boreal forest receiving more precipitation than the prairies. Wetland conditions in the northern Peace parkland, boreal forest, and northeastern parkland are expected to be good overall. Wetland habitats in the southern Peace parkland and the eastern and northwestern parklands should be in   fair to good shape, while in the central and southern parklands and the prairie region, habitat conditions are generally fair to poor.  

3. SASKATCHEWAN The outlook for waterfowl production is promising across the parklands of Saskatchewan. Many wetlands in this region had ample water in the fall, and wetland conditions should be good to excellent, even in areas that received less than average winter snowfall. Drier weather has prevailed on the prairies, where below average winter snowfall has left wetland habitats in fair to poor condition.

4. MANITOBA Wetland conditions are also fair to poor across southern Manitoba. Although water is still present in larger wetlands, a poor frost seal and well below average winter snowfall should limit seasonal and temporary wetland habitat. The outlook for breeding waterfowl improves to the north in the parklands and boreal forest, which received average snowfall this winter. Many wetlands were already at good levels last fall in these areas, so spring runoff should produce good to excellent habitat for breeding waterfowl.  

5. ONTARIO Much of this province received abundant precipitation over the winter, and some areas experienced record snowfall in February. As a result, most of Ontario should have very good wetland habitat this spring, with the only exception being in the far south, where an early thaw prematurely eroded snow cover, producing fair to good wetland conditions.  

6. QUEBEC Abundant winter precipitation and a good snowpack across Quebec have improved prospects for waterfowl production in this province. Returning ducks and geese should find especially favorable habitat along the St. Lawrence River, where wetland conditions are expected to be excellent.   

7. ATLANTIC PROVINCES A cold winter with frequent snowfall has set the stage for good spring habitat conditions in this region. Runoff from heavy snow accumulations should be sufficient to recharge wetlands, and with favorable spring weather, typical waterfowl production is expected. 

8. NORTH-CENTRAL U.S. Average to above average precipitation has created generally good wetland conditions across the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa. Conversely, drier weather has prevailed in the central and western Dakotas and eastern Montana, where wetland conditions are   generally fair to poor. Along the front range of the Rockies, runoff from significant snow accumulations should produce good wetland conditions along the Platte, South Platte, Arkansas, and Yellowstone rivers.

9. WESTERN U.S. Although central California received much needed precipitation over the winter, water levels remain highly variable in the region. Overall, wetland conditions range from good in the Sacramento Valley to poor in the San Joaquin. In the Intermountain West, habitat conditions are also mixed, ranging from fair in northern Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to good in southern Idaho. Moving north, waterfowl habitats are in generally good shape in central Oregon and Washington, while in Alaska, the outlook for waterfowl production is good along the coast and fair in the interior.