Field Reports: Waterfowl Production Outlook
Although wetland conditions have improved in some areas, drought continues to impact the prairies and Boreal Forest
September 12, 2025 •
2
min read
By DU Field Biologists
1. WESTERN CANADA
Most of British Columbia is experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought. Parts of the interior, southern coast, and northeast have received below-average precipitation, while other areas have received more typical rainfall. Despite receding water levels, field staff have observed hens and broods making use of available habitats.
2. WESTERN BOREAL FOREST
Much of the Western Boreal Forest experienced above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation this summer. As a result, numerous wildfires burned across the region, impacting many remote communities. Despite these conditions, duck numbers appeared to be good in many areas, thanks to relatively stable water levels. As of late July, drakes and nonbreeding females were beginning their molt migrations, and ducklings were growing rapidly.
DU Canada
Despite unusually warm, dry weather, wetlands in the Western Boreal Forest provided crucial habitat for waterfowl this summer.
3. PRAIRIE CANADA
Drought returned to the Canadian prairies this summer. Pockets of severe to extreme drought exist in Saskatchewan, with the driest conditions present along the Manitoba border. In contrast, some areas, such as southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, received timely summer rainfall, which helped support brood production. Many shallow basins have been dry since early July, but hens and their broods have moved to deeper, more permanent wetlands.
4. CENTRAL CANADA
Ontario experienced a dry start to summer, but wetland conditions remained in good shape across most of the province. In contrast, Quebec received average or above-average precipitation, with heavy rainfall in the south contributing to localized flooding. Waterfowl in both provinces benefited from wet spring weather, which provided favorable habitat for breeding ducks, and broods were plentiful in many areas this summer.
DU Canada
Drought returned to parts of Prairie Canada, depleting soil moisture and water levels in shallow wetlands.
5. ATLANTIC CANADA
While parts of Atlantic Canada faced moderate drought and wildfires this summer, field staff observed broods of various age classes on many wetlands, indicating that there was a strong breeding effort for early nesters such as mallards and American black ducks. American green-winged teal and other late-nesting ducks seem to have had a particularly successful season.
6. NORTH-CENTRAL US
Timely rainfall helped improve wetland conditions in parts of the US Prairie Pothole Region this summer, with some areas of the Dakotas receiving as much as seven inches of rain. The much-needed precipitation kept grasslands green and actively growing through the typically hot, dry summer months. Biologists have observed more duck broods than last year in the region, suggesting that waterfowl production may have been better than expected.
Ben Romans, DU
Summer rainfall helped maintain wetland conditions and upland cover in the eastern Dakotas, providing habitat for late-nesting hens and their broods.
7. GREAT LAKES AND NORTHEASTERN US
Heavy rainfall improved wetland conditions across much of the Great Lakes and northeastern United States this summer, which generally improved the prospects for breeding waterfowl. Additional precipitation in the coming months will help ensure favorable habitat for the fall migration.
8. WESTERN US
Much of the southern Pacific Flyway had improved wetland conditions this spring. Breeding waterfowl numbers were up in the Central Valley and in northeastern California, where biologists hope to see increased production of mallards and other species. Wetland conditions were also generally favorable in Alaska, although cold, wet spring weather may have impacted breeding waterfowl on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
