Welcome to Frank's Field Notes, a semi-regular look at what’s happening across the Prairie Pothole Region during spring migration and breeding season.

Part field journal, part migration report, and part window into duck country, Delta Waterfowl Chief Scientist and President Dr. Frank Rohwer offers firsthand observations from the field on ducks, geese, weather, habitat conditions, and the annual return north.

Spectacled Eider

Three days of eiders

7/27/2026

These are Spectacled Eiders. They nest in Alaska and Siberia.

molting male mallard

Flightless male Mallard

7/26/2026

This male Mallard has recently dropped the major flight feathers (primaries) and probably most secondaries.

Whooping Cranes

Record numbers fledges in Louisiana

7/25/2026

The reestablished resident Whooping Crane population in southwestern Louisiana fledged 10 young this year.

Wood Duck Brood

The benefit of late rains

7/24/2026

The prairies started fairly dry this spring, but most areas got well above average rainfall in June.

Richardsons Ground Squirrels

The ones we see - not our enemy

7/23/2026

Richardson’s Ground Squirrels are the most common ground squirrel in the PPR.

Franklin’s Ground Squirrel

Small trouble

7/22/2026

Franklin’s Ground Squirrels are a major problem for upland nesting ducks.

Helicopter and White Fronted Geese

Banding geese in the arctic

7/21/2026

We band to get population estimates and survival rates

White-fronted Geese (aka Specs)

7/20/2026

Our Dr. Jay VonBank is up in the arctic banding geese

Sora

More rails

7/19/2026

Sora Rails are common in the PPR and at the small end of the rail spectrum.

American Coot with young

The intermediate development style

7/18/2026

Most birds are either precocial or altricial. Coots don’t fit my simple dichotomy.

As territorial as it gets on the prairies

7/17/2026

Coots are also incredibly territorial.

American Coot on nest

Coot success - nobody does better

7/16/2026

American Coots get 70% hatch rates in wetlands.

Raven with Duck egg

Ravens - the new #1 in some areas

7/15/2026

In Saskatchewan we believe Ravens are public enemy #1

Redhead and Lesser Scaup Creche

Creche

7/14/2026

Creches are common for ducklings that inhabit open water with no escape cover from avian predators.

Fox and duck wings

Still public enemy 1?

7/13/2026

Red Fox have been public enemy number 1 for decades.

Shorebirds

They are already back

7/12/2026

These shorebirds benefit from the wetland easements our duck dollars have enabled.

2 American White Pelicans

Odd but sexy addition

7/11/2026

Prior to breeding season, pelicans grow enlarged bump on their bill.

Clark's and Western Grebes

Grebe Comparison

7/10/2026

Great photo that shows two very similar species

GPS movement map

GPS Markers Reveal Amazing Movements

7/7/2026

We surgically implanted 30 Can hens with GPS transmitters

eggs in water

This Looks Bad - but I'll Always Take More Water

7/5/2026

This was a good week on the prairies. Lots of rain.

canvasback

Happy 4th - Great Anniversary for a Great Country

7/4/2026

These beautiful guys have all left for northern molting areas.

hen and all her ducklings in water

A Great Mom

7/3/2026

For most prairie dabblers a clutch of 13 eggs is as good as it gets.

2 trumpeter swans

A ND Family of 4

7/2/2026

Trumpeter Swan numbers in Minnesota have increased dramatically; they are also expanding their breeding range out of Minnesota.

hen in water

Who is most attractive?

7/1/2026

Older hens produce more kids in a season than younger females.

bufflehead

Good Looking in Photo or Art

6/29/2026

Duck stamps have raised over 1.3 billion for waterfowl conservation – a shining example of the North American Model of Conservation.