2/7/2007

Waterfowl numbers for January higher than last year, but still below long-term average

LITTLE ROCK – During their January aerial waterfowl survey, biologists from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission found that habitat conditions were excellent statewide. The finding was not unexpected following January's heavy rains. The abundance of flooded habitat increased significantly following the November and December surveys in all regions and remained high throughout the survey period.

Unfortunately, the increased habitat didn't translate into higher waterfowl numbers compared to the state's long-term average. AGFC waterfowl biologist Luke Naylor said that waterfowl numbers this January were higher than last year but still well below the long-term average. "The statewide total duck count of 368,398 represents a 37 percent increase from last year’s count of 267,928, but remains well below the 1985 to 2007 January survey average of 825,088 total ducks," Naylor said.

The mallard count of 165,270 is only a 2 percent increase from last January’s count of 161,713 and, like total duck numbers, remains well below the long-term average of 552,230 mallards, Naylor explained. "The Northeast survey region had been the stronghold for mallards during November and December, but mallard numbers were more evenly distributed in all regions of the Delta during this survey.  Abundant rainfall across the state resulted in large amounts of flooded habitats in the eastcentral and southeast regions and waterfowl appeared to respond to the new habitat by spreading southward through the Delta," Naylor said. "Snow goose numbers (270,700, up from 237,155 in December) remain high this year.  Numbers of white-fronted geese were much higher than last month, totaling 48,560 compared to December’s estimate of 25,325," he added.

The January survey was flown in conjunction with the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conducted by all states.