Good news - brood index up a lot

The first-of-season ND Game and Fish (NDGF) Survey assesses spring statewide wetlands and breeding pairs. As I reported this spring, both ponds and ducks were down again and below the long-term average. Bad news.

Results from the July wetlands and brood counts conducted by NDGF staff were just released. Good news! Both ponds and broods were up from last year and well above the long-term average.

Abundant June rains lead to renesting and probably improved brood survival.   Pintails were up more than any other dabbler species.