MD DNR Releases 2001 Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey Results

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the results in the 2001 Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey. The total waterfowl counted in Maryland this year was 879,000 compared to 911,800 in 2000. Lower numbers of greater snow geese and ruddy ducks accounted for most of the decrease in waterfowl this winter.

Canada goose numbers were higher this year due to an influx of geese from New York and southern Canada, caused by heavy December snowfalls north of Maryland. The 2001 winter Canada goose estimate was 448,300 compared to 396,400 last year. The midwinter survey includes Canada geese from both the resident and Atlantic populations. Greater numbers of Canada geese were observed in nearly all survey units this year, with the highest number of birds observed in the Chester River. For decades, Maryland's Chester River has supported the nucleus of the Atlantic population of Canada geese.

Total dabbling ducks observed during the 2001 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey were estimated at 99,400 compared to 93,200 in 2000. The small increase in dabblers was due to increases in mallards and black ducks. Mallards increased from 50,100 in 2000 to 58,800 this winter. Black ducks, a species whose status remains a concern to waterfowl managers, improved from 25,900 in 2000 to 33,400 in 2001.

Diving duck estimates declined from 241,200 in 2000 to 219,600 in 2001. The drop in total diver numbers can be attributed to one-year declines in ruddy ducks (45,500) and lesser and greater scaup (85,600). However, most diving duck estimates in 2001were similar to 2000, such as redheads (4,900), canvasbacks (52,800), bufflehead (18,800), and American goldeneye (3,400). The total number of ducks estimated during the 2001 survey was 340,500 compared to 341,300 last year.

Snow goose estimates (64,000) from the 2001 survey were lower than in 2000 (150,700). This disparity is not related to population size but due to survey timing, e.g., snow goose mobility makes it difficult to obtain a reliable estimate for this species from the winter survey. Snow geese often move back and forth between feeding sites in Maryland to roosting areas in Delaware. A more reliable estimate of the greater snow goose population is made annually in May using aerial photography, when the entire continental population stages on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec before moving north to Arctic nesting areas. Another Arctic breeding species, the tundra swan, showed and increase in Maryland, from 15,600 in 2000 to 20,800 in 2001.

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The midwinter survey is used to provide information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations. The survey provides the only population estimates for important species like black ducks, Atlantic brant, and tundra swans. It also provides supplemental information for other waterfowl species for which annual breeding population and harvest information is available. The aerial survey was conducted Jan. 4 -16, by survey teams representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Division.

Posted: 4-12-2001