Duckers: Spring Habitat Conditions in Canada

[The_Duck_Master]

Early Spring Habitat Conditions in Canada
March 30, 2006
From DU Canada

Many of our birds come from BC and AB so I only included the info from there.

In the coastal region of British Columbia the snowpack is still good, precipitation is about normal and spring conditions are expected to be very good. The snow geese are now back in the Fraser Delta, and applying pressure to forage fields. This grazing pressure means that upland foraging habitat values have probably declined a bit, but foreshore conditions (due to eelgrass growth, for example) have improved for other species, so the net overall effect on habitat conditions is about zero. Initial crop damage assessments indicate that compensation for reseeding, etc. will be higher this year. The goose population is estimated at 80,000, which is within the normal range, but the ratio of juveniles:adults is significantly higher. Brant survey numbers in the coastal region were lower than expected. In the central Interior spring weather has arrived, and many more waterfowl are now moving through the area as the spring thaw progresses; new arrivals included tundra swans, snow geese, canvasbacks, redheads, and a single long-billed curlew. Without additional precipitation in the coming months, spring conditions are expected to be below average in the central Interior. In the southern and southeast Interior there has been little recent snowfall, but total snow accumulation is still about average (although mostly melted at lower elevations). Spring conditions in the southern and southeastern Interior are expected to be close to average and fair, respectively. The Peace and northeast regions received slightly more snow in the beginning of March but habitat conditions haven’t improved. Runoff potential in the Peace region is still only fair at best. Spring breakup has now begun, and the first waterfowl (Canada Geese, of course) have shown up in the Dawson Creek area, both of which events are earlier than usual.

The Alberta winter has been drier and warmer than average but all areas have received additional snowfall in the past three weeks. The heaviest snowfall last weekend was in Edmonton-Camrose-Stettler area, which received 15-25cm. Some wind over the past week has caused drifting into wetlands and ditches, which will improve the chances of spring runoff recharging wetlands. Spring runoff potential is now as follows: northeast parkland (Lloydminster-Cold Lake) Fair; central parkland (Edmonton-Camrose-Stettler-Red Deer) Fair-Poor; and prairies (Brooks-Medicine Hat-Hanna) Fair-Poor (minimal snow in the Brooks-Medicine Hat areas, which is not unusual for this time of year). Runoff potential will depend on the speed of the spring thaw. If it happens quickly many areas should see a fair runoff. If it is protracted then it could be poor. Additional spring moisture is required to offset the dry winter conditions. Northern pintails and mallards have begun to move into the southern Prairies. The arrival of the usual early spring migrants (eg. Canada geese) has been delayed by the recent snow and cold.