Ontario

Ontario has continued the trend set in July, with somewhat warmer- and dryer-than-average conditions in August and early September. Fortunately, due to the surplus of water earlier in the breeding season, water levels are still in relatively good condition. The lower Great Lakes are still at average water levels according to the Canadian Hydrographic Service of Environment Canada.

Due to the summer-like weather, many waterfowl are not demonstrating pre-migratory behaviours. Banding results indicate a healthy juvenile-to-adult ratio, confirming an above-average waterfowl production effort throughout the province.

Local Canada goose production exploded across southern Ontario, while numbers from Southern James Bay and Mississippi Valley populations are expected to be average. Early-season goose hunters have generally been very successful this year.

Overall, 2011 waterfowl production has been good, and this fall should provide average to above-average numbers of birds during the fall migration period.