Newsgroups: bit.listserv.biosph-l
Date:         Wed, 12 Aug 1992 08:12:41 EDT
Reply-To:     "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET>
From:         "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET>
Subject:      Fall Waterfowl Flight Forecast
X-To:         biosph-l@ubvm.BITNET, NZPEM001@SIVM.BITNET,
              chuckw%evax2@arizona.edu, David.A.Merker@mac.dartmouth.edu,
              LLARSON@PUCC.BITNET, econet@igc.org

Fish and Wildlife Service
For release August 7, 1992


Dorothy Deas  202-208-5634


            1992 Duck Fall Flight Forecast: No Major Changes
                             From Last Year


   The number of ducks migrating south this fall is expected to be simi-
lar to  the last two years, according to the 1992 "fall flight forecast"
issued by the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

   The 1992  projection of 62 million is based on surveys of duck breed-
ing populations and estimates of brood production rates.

   "Spring came  late this  year, causing  many geese  and some ducks to
nest late  or not nest at all.  Although we can't improve weather condi-
tions, we can improve habitat conditions.  By continuing our efforts un-
der the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, we can restore habitat
desperately needed  by waterfowl," said Fish and Wildlife Service Direc-
tor John Turner.

   There is  a projected increase in the fall flight of ducks in the At-
lantic Flyway  in 1992, while no change is expected in the Pacific, Cen-
tral, and Mississippi Flyways.

   Stable to  lower fall flights are expected in 1992 for most goose and
swan populations  in North  America compared  to last  year.  Surveys of
spring habitat  conditions in  northern Canada and Alaska suggested that
goose nesting  areas became  free of  snow approximately 1-3 weeks later
than last year.  In general, this delay in nest-site availability is ex-
pected to reduce production for most North American goose populations in
1992.

   This year's  index of  the Atlantic Population of Canada geese is the
lowest in  the last  23 years  and continues  a downward trend in Canada
goose populations  in the Atlantic Flyway.  The Mississippi Valley popu-
lation of  Canada geese  is faced  with the  second consecutive  decline
since the  record-high index in 1989.  A reduced fall flight is expected
for the  Eastern Prairie  Population of Canada geese, which winters near
Swan Lake  National Wildlife  Refuge.   There was  an unexpected decline
from last  year's record  giant Canada  goose index,  but this year's is
still the  fourth-highest on  record.  Numbers of dusky Canada geese are
expected to  increase this  fall while  lesser and cackling Canada geese
are projected to be equal to 1991.

   The fall  flight of  greater white-fronted  geese is  expected to  be
equal to last year's in the Pacific Flyway.  Numbers of eastern mid-con-
tinent whitefronts,  wintering mostly  in Louisiana,  are expected to be
lower than last year, while the western population index predicts a fall
flight similar to last year's.

   A reduced fall flight of greater snow geese is expected due to a late
spring on  Bylot Island,  Canada, where  the largest known colony nests.
Numbers of  lesser snow  geese are  also expected  to be lower than last
year's.   The mid-continent  population of lesser snow geese is expected
to be  lower than  last year  but is  still the  second-highest index on
record.   The western  Central Flyway,  the western Canadian arctic, and
the Wrangel  Island populations  are expected  to be average to slightly
below average this year while Ross' goose populations are expected to be
similar to last year's.


   Both the eastern and western populations of tundra swans are expected
to have  fall flights  equal to or slightly lower than last year's.  The
late spring suggests that there will be a lower than average nesting ef-
fort among swans.

   The "1992 Status of Waterfowl and Fall Flight Forecast" will serve as
a management  document in  the development  of waterfowl harvest regula-
tions for the 1992-93 hunting season.

=============================================================

This Fish & Wildlife Service Press Release has been brought to
you compliments of The Osprey's Nest, a computer bulletin board
for birders and other amateur naturalists and those interested
in the environment.  The Osprey's Nest is available 24 hours per
day at 301-989-9036.

Neither The Osprey's Nest nor its operator have any connection
whatsoever with the U.S. Department of the Interior or the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.  The opinions expressed in this press
release are generally not those of the system operator of The
Osprey's Nest.
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