Mallard pair numbers are up 131 percent from last year, and are more than twice the long term average. For survey purposes, a wetland counts as one pond whether it is full or nearly dry. This year a lot of wetlands are full for the first time in years. In addition, last year there were more temporary ponds, or water that may be standing on fields or in ditches far only a short time. This year, Johnson said, there's a greater percentage of larger or deeper ponds that will hold water longer.
More ducks are in North Dakota because the state has good water conditions.
A good number of birds that would normally continue north to nest in Canada stopped here because they found what they needed. Tall dense stands of grass provided by CRP, in large blocks, is the best we could hope for in terms of duck nesting habitat. I think we're going to have a real good fall population come out of both Dakotas.