USFWS Update

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 

From: Ken Torkelson, USFWS
Date: Nov. 9, 2005

WATERFOWL NUMBERS FLUCTUATING, SAYS USFWS

The waterfowl migration continues to progress slowly through North Dakota. According to the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, most local birds and some migrants have moved out, but many more migrants remain in Canada.

Snow and cold temperatures produced a large waterfowl migration into and through northwestern North Dakota late last week. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District reports many large groups of snow geese stopped in Divide County last Saturday and Sunday, but most appear to have moved on. He says about 40,000 snow geese and 20,000 ducks remained in the area north of Noonan at mid-week, and there have been reports of large numbers of snow geese on the Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea. Kessler notes that many groups of ducks are spread throughout the area on larger wetlands.

What might have been the first wave of snow geese has left Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare. Acting project leader Dan Severson says about 25,000 remain of last week’s population of 100,000. The Refuge is also holding 15,000 mallards, about 1,500 Canada geese and 800 tundra swans. He reports area marshes and lakes remain open.

Most waterfowl have departed Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding areas of southern Burke County and Mountrail County. Biologist Adam Ryba says the Refuge may have a couple thousand mallards, and some tundra swans are still being spotted.

About 20,000 snow geese have reached Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot. Park ranger Shawn Tripp says more ducks have moved in, with mallards making up most of the 5,000 total. About 5,000 Canada geese are also present.

The snow goose population at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge near Upham has grown to 50,000. Project leader Tedd Gutzke says the Refuge also holds 20,000 ducks, after the recent arrival of quite a few mallards. The number of Canada geese is holding steady at 5,000. Gutzke says there are reports of large numbers of ducks and geese just across the border in Canada.

Northeastern North Dakota has witnessed a large influx of waterfowl in recent days. Biologist Mark Fisher of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says snow geese, Canada geese and mallards have arrived in large numbers, but remain concentrated in few locations. He adds that many birds are using private lands north of Lake Alice and north of Lakota. Fisher reports that scaup remain abundant on Devils Lake and on other large bodies of water. At mid-week, most wetlands remain open.

More snow geese, mallards and Canada geese have reached Audubon National Wildlife Refuge near Coleharbor.. Biologist Craig Hultberg estimates the Refuge is holding up to 6,000 ducks, about 10,000 Canada geese, as many as 30,000 snow geese, plus 200 tundra swans and a few white-fronted geese. In the surrounding areas, Hultberg says most of the birds have moved to larger bodies of water including Lake Sakakawea.

Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge is holding 1,000 Canada geese, 500 snow geese and very few ducks, but surrounding areas of Burleigh and Kidder counties have attracted quite a few more birds. Biologist Gregg Knutsen says there are good concentrations of snow geese, and scattered pockets of mallards and migrant Canada geese.

Stutsman and Wells counties were still awaiting a major movement of waterfowl at mid-week. Chris Flann of the Chase Lake Prairie Project says hunters willing to do their scouting are finding diving ducks, both giant and lesser Canada geese, and some snow geese.

Most of the waterfowl at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge north of Jamestown are concentrated on Arrowwood Lake. Biologist Paulette Scherr estimates the Refuge is holding 1,000 Canada geese, 750 snow geese, a duck population of 22,000–mostly mallards, but some pintails and some divers–and 1,500 tundra swans. Surrounding areas in Foster and Eddy counties remain very dry.

Waterfowl continue to trickle into southeast-central North Dakota, but it’s far from a major movement yet. Mick Erickson of the Kulm Wetland Management District describes the situation as “still slow,” but he notes the presence of some snow geese, some white-fronted geese, and some resident Canada geese, but not many lesser Canadas. Erickson believes eastern and central Logan and McIntosh counties offer the best opportunities.

Hunting remains fairly slow in the five-county Valley City Wetland Management District. Biologist Terry Gwilliams says Hobart Lake and parts of Griggs County offer some opportunities for hunting ducks and Canada geese, but snow geese are hard to find. He adds that the tundra swan migration appears to be slowing down.

Southeastern North Dakota is reporting an increase in Canada goose and mallard numbers, but most gadwalls and wigeon are gone. Biologist Kristine Askerooth of Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge says most waterfowl are spread out through the three counties. She notes that most corn fields have been harvested.

Waterfowl numbers continue to build at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern South Dakota. Biologist Bill Schultze reports the Refuge’s snow goose population has grown from 17,000 to 45,000 in the past week. Duck numbers have increased to 140,000 from 120,000. The Canada goose population is at 5,000, compared with 4,200 last week. Tundra swans now number 3,200 from 2,800 last week. Schultze says most of the snow geese are using northern Sand Lake and are feeding west of the Refuge. He adds that the number of divers– especially canvasbacks– increased by mid-week.

Hunters need to watch out for pintail and canvasback ducks. Seasons for those species have closed, but some of each are still present in many parts of North Dakota. Also, game checks continue to encounter hunters who fail to leave adequate identification on their birds. State law requires one fully feathered wing or the fully feathered head of all waterfowl to remain attached during transportation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.