June 2009
Rainfall has been below average through most of British Columbia, but goose and duck broods made early appearances in the Peace region. Precipitation and waterfowl numbers are average in most of the Western Boreal Forest, but cooler temperatures could have variable effects on waterfowl productivity in some areas. Conditions are still dry in most of Alberta, where productivity will likely be low this year. Conditions are also dry in Saskatchewan, but wetlands in the Thickwood Hills, the Allan/Dana Hills, and the Missouri Coteau are faring well. Although weather has been somewhat unsettled in Manitoba, conditions are still favourable in the southwest. Southern Ontario is also enjoying favourable conditions, and a strong wood duck breeding effort has been reported in the province. Hatching period and effort seem to be normal or slightly later in Quebec, but productivity will likely be good or better than last year. Productivity should also be very good in Atlantic Canada, given favourable spring habitat conditions and reports of early and numerous broods.
British Columbia
The cooler conditions observed along the coast in April and May are quickly becoming a distant memory, as temperatures have increased significantly over the last two weeks. A lack of rainfall has led to drier than normal conditions and the high-elevation snowpack, which was below-average this year, is now quickly melting. This may translate to low summer stream flows, but conditions remain good for now. Warm conditions are benefiting agriculture, and new crops are planted and growing well. Broods of Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards and blue-winged teals have been spotted in local wetlands.
In the central Interior, spring rainfall was variable but below average overall. Habitat conditions are rapidly deteriorating due to a lack of precipitation, and water levels have dropped significantly since May. Breeding effort appeared normal, but brood survival is of concern due to the decrease in habitat quality. Some late goose broods are still appearing, and duck broods also appear to be late by a week or more.
Spring rainfall was below average throughout the southern Interior. The timing of breeding behaviour was slightly later than normal, due to dry conditions.
In the Peace region, precipitation has been below average since April 1, and area farmers are desperate for rain. Crops are in the ground, but showing some stress with the warm, dry weather. Some wetland projects approached full supply level this spring, but few actually flowed water, and runoff-fed projects are drying fast. Breeding effort has been quite variable between species. Interestingly, despite the fact that spring was generally late and cool, the first goose broods were 9 days earlier than last year and the first mallard broods were 8 days earlier.
Western Boreal Forest
Spring arrived late in northern portions of the region, where wetlands are in average condition. Nesting has started, but the cool weather will likely affect productivity. Precipitation in Fort Simpson has been above average, but other areas such as Norman Wells, Yellowknife, and Hay River experienced less than 50% of their normal precipitation amounts in May.
Water conditions are currently good in the Yukon, although the area has been hot and dry over the last few weeks. Lots of staging birds have been observed there, including large flocks of mallards, wigeons, pintails, and shovelers. Precipitation has been slightly lower than normal in Whitehorse.
Northern regions of Alberta have experienced below normal temperatures through much of the spring. Precipitation was about average for Peace River, but was only 50% of normal for High Level and Edmonton. Waterfowl surveys, which were conducted in the Edson and Grande Prairie area in late May and early June, revealed an average number of waterfowl and average conditions for those areas. A variety of species were observed, including mallards, teals, scaups, goldeneyes, buffleheads, hooded mergansers, and common mergansers, as well as a pair of harlequin ducks!
Melfort and northern Saskatchewan experienced cool and snowy conditions through May, but warmer temperatures have arrived as of mid June. Precipitation has been mostly average for the area, except in Buffalo Narrows and Prince Albert, where precipitation amounts were 140% and 80% of normal, respectively. In some areas, crops will be set back or have already failed due to frosts as of early June. Waterfowl have been observed in good numbers and productivity should be average.
Although precipitation was close to normal in The Pas and in Flin Flon, cooler temperatures may delay nesting, which could result in smaller clutch sizes and fewer renesting attempts. The only broods observed in these areas thus far have been Canada geese.
After a snowy and cold May, spring seems to be arriving in the Duck Mountains region of Manitoba. Waterfowl surveys in the area have revealed average wetland conditions and average numbers of waterfowl. A variety of species were counted, including: goldeneyes, mallards, buffleheads, green-winged teals, blue-winged teals, scaups, shovelers, and wigeons. Based on the number of pairs observed and low numbers of grouped males, it appears thatearly- and late-nesting species are still nesting or renesting. Broods of goldeneyes, mallards and buffleheads have been observed.
Alberta
Since mid-May, most of Alberta has been dry except for scattered showers. Although temperatures have recently warmed to highs of 20 C, some areas were still experiencing overnight frost in early June.
The current dry conditions are a continuation of a trend that started in the fall of 2008. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reports indicate that precipitation has been: 60-85% of average in the Peace Parkland; 40-60% of average for the Boreal Transition Zone and southern Prairie; and less than 40% of average for the Aspen Parkland and northern Prairie. These conditions have prompted some areas in the Aspen Parkland to declare a local state of agricultural disaster.
Field reports indicate that the southern Prairie has received almost 50mm of rain in the past two weeks. This has stimulated grass growth but has had minimal effects on wetland water levels. Elsewhere, water levels continue to decline, although they are still not as bad as in 2002. Field offices report numerous requests for pasture as forage production and supply may become an issue.
The annual US Fish and Wildlife Service / Canadian Wildlife Service spring breeding waterfowl survey was completed at the end of May. Data from the survey is not yet available, but conditions were reported to be drier than 2008. As a result of the spring conditions and continuing dry weather, the current waterfowl productivity potential for Alberta is below average. Field staff have spotted broods of mallards, northern pintails, common goldeneyes, and buffleheads over the past week or so.
Saskatchewan
Very dry conditions persist in regions along the western border, where essentially no rain has fallen. Pastures in this area are brown and not growing, and there are very few wetlands holding water. However, wetland conditions are improved in the Thickwood Hills area, which has experienced several rain events. Conditions are even better in the Allan / Dana Hills and in other southern regions of the province, and late spring snows and recent rainfall have helped to maintain wetland water levels in the Missouri Coteau.
Broods in the 1A to 1C age classes have been observed across the province with mallards and northern pintails being the most frequently observed broods. Reports from the SpATS study near Lake Alma (Missouri Coteau) indicate that about 180 nests have been located, of which only 6 have hatched, so peak hatch should be in the next couple of weeks. Very few diver broods have been observed to date. Until this week, temperatures have been below normal, which likely delayed nest initiation for some species. Overall, productivity should be poor in the northwest but good in the Coteau, southeast and east central parts of the province.
Seeding has now been completed across the province and spring planted crops are just now beginning to emerge. Cool temperatures limited growth of crops early this summer, but predictions are calling for warmer weather this week.
Manitoba
Weather has been cool and unsettled in southwest Manitoba, with temperatures dipping below or near zero several times over late May and early June. This is expected to have some negative effects on brood survival, especially for early-nesting species.
The first pintail brood was observed on May 28 and the first mallard brood was spotted on June 2. A canvasback brood was also observed on June 13 and Canada goose broods continue to be a common sight. Preliminary sightings provide support, albeit anecdotal, for the idea that early-hatched broods tend to be smaller than normal.
Rain has been common and most of the primary breeding range of southwest Manitoba has received average rainfall. Wetland conditions remain favourable, although southern portions of the Virden pothole region and western portions of the Killarney pothole region are faring slightly worse.
Seeding has been dramatically delayed due to wet conditions and a late spring. Crop and forage growth is delayed and this is especially evident in the more northern Minnedosa / Shoal Lake pothole region.
Ontario
Habitat conditions throughout southern Ontario are still in very good shape as the hatch gets underway. The majority of this region has received 115 – 150% more precipitation than normal this spring, and rainfall occurs there every few days. Permanent wetlands are abundant and generally at full supply across the southern region. There are a few exceptions to this wet trend, however, including the extreme southeast and along the Niagara Peninsula. Although precipitation has been below average in these areas, wetlands are still in decent shape. Temperatures, on the other hand, have been much colder than normal. While this has delayed haying in some areas, which should benefit nesting success, it could also have an impact on early duckling survival.
Water levels in Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Ontario remain above their respective long term monthly averages, while those of Lake Huron and Lake Superior continue to be lower than normal. Although conditions in northeast Ontario are wetter than those in the northwest, temperatures have been well below average across the north (including the Hudson Bay Lowlands), which will likely have an impact on productivity in the region.
Waterfowl broods are beginning to appear throughout the landscape and are providing some early hints regarding reproduction outcomes. Good numbers of newly hatched wood ducks have been observed, suggesting a strong wood duck breeding effort in response to the wet landscape. Unfortunately, many of these broods are being subjected to cold, rainy weather, which may be affecting their survival. Mallard brood sightings have been generally sparse. Given that numerous mallard pairs are still being observed in the field, it appears that a last ditch renesting effort may be underway, possibly due, in part, to nest loss as a result of flooding from frequent rain events.
Quebec
Spring temperatures have been colder than normal, especially in northern regions, which have been 2 C colder on average. In general, monthly precipitation was close to or below normal for all regions except in portions of Montreal and the Ottawa River Valley. Despite the poor amount of precipitation, the mean St. Lawrence level remained high for this time of the year and major water courses and wetlands have a good water supply.
Risks of nest flooding have been low overall. Hatching period and effort seem to be normal or slightly later this year, but productivity should be good or better than last year. Resident Canada geese nest numbers are very abundant in the Ottawa River Valley region. Habitat conditions remain good to very good across Quebec and a high water level will ensure a good rearing period.
Bylot Island is experiencing a normal spring season, with mild temperatures and normal snowpack. Fewer snow geese are present than usual for this time of the year, but good breeding conditions are anticipated.
Atlantic Canada
Cooler than normal spring temperatures have continued into June, but more seasonal summer temperatures are expected. Precipitation amounts have been normal and are predicted to remain so. The Saint John River is still running a bit high.
Atlantic surveys indicate good breeding potential for black ducks and mallards. The first black duck brood (1A class) was spotted near Sackville, New Brunswick on May 13. On May 27, a 1B mallard brood was observed in western Prince Edward Island and a resident 1B Canada goose brood was observed in eastern Prince Edward Island.
Resident Canada geese are booming in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Several pairs of gadwall were observed in southeast New Brunswick this spring and groups of males were observed on the Tantramar River last week. Reports along the Saint John River floodplain indicate increased nesting success in cavity nesting species such as wood duck, common goldeneye, and hooded merganser. In general, numbers for most waterfowl species were above the 2008 estimates.
Long range weather forecasts call for seasonal temperatures and normal precipitation. Very good productivity is predicted, given favorable spring habitat conditions and reports of early and numerous broods. Overall, conditions in the Atlantic region are very good.
Prepared by Meagan Hainstock, based on reports provided by the following field contacts:
British Columbia – Bruce Harrison
Alberta – Ian McFarlane
Saskatchewan – Michael Hill
Manitoba – Mark Francis
Western Boreal Forest – Brent Friedt
Ontario – Scott Muir
Quebec – Patrick Harbour
Atlantic Canada – Adam Campbell
Check Out:
Goose Researchers Report Late Nesting Year
Ducks, Habitat and Hunters