See also:

Old Crow River Ice-free Period
 
Temperatures at Old Crow
 
Snow depth at Old Crow

Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op

What is happening?

• The diving duck graphs show that the Scoter (also called "Black Duck") population on the Flats experiences high and low years. Ring-necked Ducks were not observed on the Flats until the mid-80s. Their numbers are low and vary from year to year.
• The dabbling duck graph indicates that the number of Pintails on the Old Crow Flats has remained fairly constant over the last 50 years, whereas the number of Shovelers has been slowly increasing. Both species show large increases in numbers during some years. These years are associated with drought on the Canadian Prairie which causes waterfowl to travel further north in search of suitable breeding habitat. 

Why is it happening?

• The increase in Shoveler and Ring-necked Duck populations could indicate a northern extension of the breeding grounds for these species. These population increases may indicate that habitats on the Flats have become more favourable for these two species. It is also possible that destruction of habitat in areas further south have caused ducks to move further north in search of suitable habitat.

Why is it important?

• The Old Crow Flats is an important wetland both locally and internationally. Continental populations of Pintail have experienced a dramatic decline since 1969 -- but Pintail numbers on the Flats have not declined. Similarly, Scoter populations have been declining on the Canadian prairies, but not on the Flats.
• Ducks, geese and swans banded on the Flats have been recovered throughout the continent.
• Continued habitat destruction in the south can only increase the importance of this area in the future.

Technical Notes

• These data were obtained from the US Fish and Wildlife Service which conducts aerial surveys on the Old Crow Flats as part of an on-going, continent-wide waterfowl survey program.