Monitoring Maine's Waterfowl Production and Populations

By Scott McLellan, Regional Wildlife Biologist Waterfowl brood surveys have long been a traditional part of the work program for regional wildlife biologists and serve as a method to monitor annual nesting success and survival of hens and their young. In region E out of the Moosehead Lake area, 9 of these surveys are conducted in the month of June and then repeated one month later.  This schedule occurs annually on the same bodies of water in hopes to develop and understand trends in waterfowl production and populations.  Surveys occur either during the early morning or early evening hours, when waterfowl are in an active feeding pattern. [caption id="attachment_1785" align="aligncenter" width="829"] A common goldeneye hen with eight ducklings[/caption] Typical species of waterfowl that are documented in this region include mallards, black ducks, ringneck ducks, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, common mergansers, and common goldeneyes.  A number of other species are also observed and documented during the course of these surveys, which is sometimes used to help document species range and distribution. Waterfowl brood surveys are among the many tasks handled by Department staff, who work diligently to manage Maine's natural resources and ensure the health of our wildlife and natural areas for all who live and recreate here. For more information, visit our website www.mefishwildlife.com or subscribe to our email list!