More ducks than usual were counted along the Illinois River Valley, according to Josh Osborn, waterbird ecologist for Illinois Natural History Survey, during the INHS’s aerial waterfowl survey on Oct. 9. The survey came just ahead of he north zone youth season on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-15.
But… strong winds and colder temperatures on the prairies have moved birds into our region, especially the IRV. I estimated 83,580 ducks in the IRV on Monday, 41% more than the 10-year average of ~59,000 ducks. However, early duck abundance along the MS river continues to trend below the LTA. I observed 37,785 ducks along that river this week, 37% below the 10-year average. Again, I expect this trend to be at least somewhat related to later flooding of Clarence Cannon and Ted Shanks refuges. As expected, a large proportion of this week’s count was northern pintail and American green-winged teal. But we did seem to pick up mallards, gadwall, and American wigeon as well.
