Large numbers of Pacific Flyway waterfowl also breed in the western boreal forest of northern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories. In 2010, more than 8.7 million breeding ducks were surveyed in this region—a 26 percent increase from the previous year's estimate. Farther north, in Alaska and the Yukon, duck numbers were up 28 percent, reaching a total of almost 5.6 million breeding birds. Pintails, scaup, wigeon, and green-winged teal compose the majority of the breeding ducks in this survey area, and each of these species had a population of roughly 1 million birds in 2010.

Habitat conditions were mixed this year across the northern "bush" country. While large areas of the western boreal forest were drier than average, an early spring thaw ensured that most wetlands were ice free when waterfowl returned, encouraging breeding pairs to settle and begin nesting.

In the western United States, the waterfowl production outlook was variable. In California, populations of mallards and total ducks were up in 2010 and were similar to the long-term average. Spring rains improved waterfowl habitat conditions in parts of the state's Central Valley, providing better habitat for breeding pairs and broods.

This was a generally good year for Pacific Flyway geese. Spring weather and habitat conditions were largely favorable for breeding geese across Alaska, and most goose populations should have a fall flight similar to or larger than last year's.

Central Flyway

The majority of Central Flyway waterfowl are raised on the prairies of the United States and Canada, as well as in the western boreal forest and the Arctic. In southern Saskatchewan, this year's estimate of roughly 6.8 million breeding ducks was down 15 percent from 2009 and slightly below the long-term average. As in Alberta, however, frequent heavy rainfall dramatically improved wetland conditions after the waterfowl survey was completed.

"July wetland conditions in Saskatchewan were similar to what we typically see in May, with large numbers of seasonal and temporary wetlands still present on the landscape," reports DU Canada biologist Dr. Michael Hill. "The abundance of water encouraged renesting among breeding ducks, and with so much wetland habitat available, brood survival was likely better than average. Moreover, many wetland basins will have good water levels going into freeze-up, which should set the stage for favorable habitat conditions next spring."

Wetland conditions were excellent in the U.S. portion of the Prairie Pothole Region, where 2.9 million May ponds were surveyed. A total of 13.9 million breeding ducks were surveyed in the Great Plains states—similar to last year's record of 14.2 million birds. Duck numbers were down in North Dakota and Montana compared to 2009 estimates but were up in South Dakota, where a record 5.8 million breeding ducks were surveyed this spring.

DU biologist Dr. Scott Stephens reports that duck production appears to have been well above average in the Dakotas. "Our research crews observed large numbers of broods this summer on many of our research plots. This came as no surprise given the excellent wetland conditions, large numbers of breeding pairs, and a strong breeding effort in the region. Unfortunately, we continue to see widespread conversion of native prairie and expiring CRP tracts. And we know that when this happens, wetland productivity and duck nesting success decline on the landscape. On a positive note, initial findings from our winter wheat research this spring suggest that nesting ducks made good use of this crop, which could help us provide upland cover for waterfowl in areas where perennial grassland is limited."

The outlook for Central Flyway geese is mixed. The USFWS reports that spring weather and habitat conditions were generally favorable for production of lesser snow geese and northern-nesting Canada geese, and fall populations of these birds should be similar to or larger than last year's. Breeding success among midcontinent white-fronted geese was variable, and production of Ross's geese appears to have been poor due to a late spring thaw on their Arctic breeding grounds.