Duck Migration Times?

[Shrimp Claw]

Last year was my first year duck hunting. My father inlaw has a small farm that has a few seasonal ponds on it outside of Independence. So far there is no water in them yet, but they usually start getting water toward the end of November. I've been told ducks don't start migrating until December of so. My question is, do different species of ducks migrate at different time? And What is the peak migration time of different species?

Shrimp Claw

[redfish89]

I am no expert but from my experience i think the migration is triggered by cold weather up north. When everything freezes up the bird move for food and protection.

[Jeremy]

Down around corvallis the numbers usually start picking up the end of december early january.

[duckboy]

I am not an ornithologist, but I knew a guy that got into a knife fight with one.

My understanding is that there are 2 factors which trigger the birds to head south.

1 is the cold, when they are unable to get to the food they need because there is a layer of ice, or the water is all frozen solid, they will move to liquid water and that means warmer temps in most cases, or a move to the coast from inland.

the 2nd factor is the amount of daylight each day.

I think the main factor is the inability to get food... when the food runs out, or becomes inaccessable due to freeze up,. they split.

[Northwest Pest]

Birds do fly south for different reasons but they also leave at different times mostly dependent on their individual food needs and tolerance for cold weather. When it is 30 degrees below zero in Montana you can still find large mallards and canada geese on the Missouri river but you won't find many other species. The mallards are mostly drakes at that point cause only the hardiest birds can handle that kind of cold. I have found that for puddler ducks that the smaller the bird the sooner it migrates. The same applies for geese but not divers. I think that golden eye are the hardiest cold resistant birds.

[DTSportsman]

I saw a raft of about 15 Bufflehead yesterday on the Willamette, seems early to me, is it?

Daryn

[sprigkiller09]

In my experience with ducks in the south valley there is ALWAYS a new raft of birds in right about this time. This year they are two weeks early. Then There is another shot around thanks giving and then a constant flow between December and January's of new birds every now and again.

[stick flicker]

Originally Posted by sprigkiller09

In my experience with ducks in the south valley there is ALWAYS a new raft of birds in right about this time. This year they are two weeks early. Then There is another shot around thanks giving and then a constant flow between December and January's of new birds every now and again.

Good to hear that the buffleheads are on the way! I miss seeing them around the marsh. They always add a little action if other ducks are not moving. I am headed out to hunt a farm feild this weekend near Bandon I hope to see some action from the birds! I was up at fern Ridge hunting last week and had some hot action. I was suprised by the number of teal using the hunt area. They were buzzing around all morning. I picked up a banded mallard too!

[Tar Heel]

Imagine the game on the move tonight with this full moon. Could hear geese when I got home from work. Dang tough time of year to hold a job.