Peace Garden News

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has released the results of its 78th annual spring breeding duck survey, revealing a continued decline in duck numbers. Conducted in May, the survey reported an index of approximately 2.66 million birds, a decrease from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

Despite the drop, the 2025 breeding duck index remains the 33rd highest on record and is still above the long-term average by 7%, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird supervisor for the department.

"Things are continuing to decline a little bit as far as duck populations go," Szymanski noted. "The mallard population estimate was down 26% from last year and is the lowest estimated mallard breeding population on our survey since 1993." He added that species such as blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and pintails also experienced significant declines, while gadwall, shovelers, and ruddy ducks saw less dramatic decreases. Conversely, wigeon, canvasbacks, redheads, and lesser scaup showed increases from last year's figures.

Szymanski identified several factors contributing to these declines. Poor wetland conditions have affected early migrating species like mallards and pintails. Many of these birds arrived before May's rains and likely moved northward due to dry conditions in North Dakota. Additionally, habitat loss related to CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) lands and perennial grasses has impacted nesting cover availability for ducks.

"We've lost so much grass on the landscape that it makes it really hard for duck populations and other ground-nesting birds to do well," Szymanski explained. He pointed out that compared to averages from when wetland conditions were more favorable between 1994-2016, total duck populations are now down by 34%, with mallard breeding populations specifically declining by 57%.

The survey involved covering over 1,800 miles of transects to count wetlands and waterfowl species across both sides of roads throughout North Dakota. This year’s wetland count ranked as the 52nd highest on record but was down by 38% compared to last year.

"We do our survey based on phenology and migration ecology of ducks coming through the state," said Szymanski. "This year it happened to be timed before we got quite a bit of rain later in May." The lack of snowmelt contributed to reduced wetland counts this spring.

Szymanski emphasized that improving grassland habitats and water availability will be crucial for future rebounds in duck populations within North Dakota.