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Annual Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey Completed

Pintail Ducks

Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Maine - -(AmmoLand.com)- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife conducted its annual mid-winter waterfowl survey early in January 2010 and recorded numbers identical to or lower than 10-year-average figures.

The mid-winter waterfowl survey is conducted at the same time each winter in every state in the Atlantic Flyway. MDIFW wildlife biologists Brad Allen and Kelsey Sullivan and U.S. Geological Survey biologist Dan McAuley flew with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot John Bidwell for nearly 40 hours to conduct the low-level survey between January 4 and January 16.

This year, the team counted slightly more than 56,000 ducks and geese, a figure significantly lower than the latest 10-year average count of 69,000.

According to Brad Allen, leader of MDIFW’s bird group, this year’s count likely was low because of the relatively mild, ice-free coastal conditions encountered during the survey. In years when the survey is preceded by cold, harsh weather conditions, waterfowl become concentrated along the coast and are more likely to be counted. In years when the weather is mild, waterfowl are either along the coast or are dispersed in freshwater sites near the coast that remain ice free. These inland areas are not searched by the survey team.

Despite the mild conditions, a relatively good number of black ducks were recorded at 16,388 birds. This figure is nearly identical to the latest 10-year average for this species.

The most disappointing numbers recorded this year were for the sea ducks, according to Allen. Fewer than 1,000 scoters were encountered during the survey. Long-tailed duck numbers also were low at 1,253. Common eider numbers were the lowest ever recorded during mid-winter waterfowl survey flights. The survey team tallied fewer than 15,000 eiders, well below the latest 10-year average of 26,500 for this species.

Other numbers recorded for waterfowl in Maine in early January 2010 were as follows:

• Mallards: 2,778
• Scaup: 232
• Goldeneyes: 7,549
• Buffleheads: 6,561
• Mergansers: 2,613
• Ruddy ducks: 107
• Harlequin ducks: 24
• Canada geese: 3,286

While Maine’s numbers were relatively low this year, the overall status of winter populations cannot be determined until Maine’s data are pooled with the other state’s numbers from Maine to Florida. Collectively, these data provide a relative index to the abundance of all waterfowl species and their distribution within the flyway.

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NWTF Hires Roger Wells to Promote Upland Programs

National Wild Turkey Federation

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. —-(AmmoLand.com)- The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has hired Roger Wells of Americus, Kan., as its new upland wildlife biologist.

Recently, Wells served as the national habitat director for Quail Unlimited, Inc., a national organization that supports upland game bird habitat projects, youth activities and other conservation activities.

NWTF members and volunteers work year-round to improve habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife including upland species such as quail, grouse, other ground-nesting birds, rabbits and squirrels. In his new role, Wells will continue to enhance and expand the numerous upland projects already being accomplished by NWTF chapters and volunteers nationwide.

“Roger is a well-recognized, knowledgeable and credible figure in the conservation field,” said Donnie Buckland, NWTF’s director of upland programs. “His experience completing upland wildlife habitat projects and his great rapport with landowners make Roger a valuable addition to the NWTF team.”

Wells’ duties will include developing grant opportunities and promoting the NWTF’s Project HELP program by creating seed mixes, products and programs to assist landowners. One main objective will be to encourage restoration of early successional habitat, especially critical nesting and brooding cover for turkeys, quail and other ground-nesting birds. He also will develop projects and management plans on public and private lands that improve riparian areas, or areas near rivers and streams, to benefit wildlife. He will serve as an upland habitat support specialist for NWTF field staff as needed.

The National Wild Turkey Federation recently hired Roger Wells of Americus, Kan., as its upland wildlife biologist.

“I am proud and excited to be working for the NWTF and look forward to the many opportunities ahead,” Wells said.

Wells and his wife Nancy own and operate the 300-acre AnDiShe Farm in Lyon County, Kan. The couple has won multiple awards for successfully managing their land for wildlife and, in 2001, The Kansas Wildlife Federation named him the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year for the state of Kansas.

Wells received a Bachelor of Science Degree in fish and wildlife biology from Kansas State University in 1973 and received the designation of Certified Wildlife Biologist from The Wildlife Society in 1979. He has been active in numerous conservation organizations, has served as an adjunct professor of biology at Emporia State University and was a guest lecturer at the Kansas State University Division of Biology from 1978 to 1997.

He enjoys hunting, fishing and all related activities. His greatest love in life is introducing young people to the outdoors, wildlife and conservation.

The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. The NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

About the NWTF:
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the comeback of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.

Visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.

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