Waterfowl migration?

[trigger7mm]

I live in east central Alberta, and so far this fall it has been the worst year that I’ve seen in 30 years for waterfowl numbers, especially ducks. No doubt the drought conditions are playing a big part in that, and perhaps also the early harvest that has resulted in a lot of second growth. What are the numbers like in your part of the country, especially to the west where it’s seems that there is more water?

[Smokinyotes]

I’m not seeing nearly as many ducks or geese on the local lakes as I usually do. Not sure where they went or if it could be avian flu. Seems strange

[Hunter3006]

Same up here, not nearly as many ducks as we usually see. Pretty dry up here. We did see a few last weekend, but nothing in comparison to last year.

[slough shark]

I haven’t been out yet for waterfowl this year but I just came home from work, still birds up in Nunavut so maybe the migration hasn’t gone into full swing yet.

[tallieho]

Was up north of Athabasca last week.Specs were heading south in numbers.Here in Calgary ducks ,the most i have seen in a long time,Along with Canadas.Where the crops got hit ,by that swath of hail .That went through,birds are finding,lotsa food there.

[tikka250]

We managed one duck shoot early on and now it's been barely any goose shoots even. Lots of small groups and lots of birds barely sticking around for more than one quick evening feed. Its weird.

[elkhunter11]

The geese have moved into our area in huge numbers in the last week, mostly specs. I am not seeing many ducks.

[-JR-]

East of Edmonton the geese are every where .
The big ponds are just covered with them and come evening and early morning the fields are just covered with geese . I have never seen this many before .
Almost thinking of getting into geese hunting again just for the sport . But then I think ,who likes wild geese on the dinner table after its been frozen once .

[Ronji]

There were lots of Canada's in the fields around Pigeon Lake last weekend. They were all in fields that were harvested eating spillage.
No ducks though.

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by tikka250

We managed one duck shoot early on and now it's been barely any goose shoots even. Lots of small groups and lots of birds barely sticking around for more than one quick evening feed. Its weird.

Same thing happening here.

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by -JR-

East of Edmonton the geese are every where .
The big ponds are just covered with them and come evening and early morning the fields are just covered with geese . I have never seen this many before .
Almost thinking of getting into geese hunting again just for the sport . But then I think ,who likes wild geese on the dinner table after its been frozen once .

You must be talking about the area in between Edmonton and Ryley. The further east you good, the less birds there are so far this fall.

[3blade]

Plenty of geese north of Edmonton. Very few ducks. The ponds and creeks were ok but there were very few seasonal sloughs. Not exactly dry but not wet either. I think the majority nested further north.

I’m headed to sask next week, will see how things are that way. They had more water and more ducks this summer.

[32-40win]

Haven't seen a pile of ducks, 3-4 ponds with say 300+ on them last wk, almost none in most places, what little "extra" water we had this month is drying up PDQ again. Last wk had one pond that always had 3-4k specks on it, vacant, this wk it has 10k mixed specks and honkers, looked like 50/50 mix, unusual for around here. Crops finally dried out enough for farmers to get back in them and it poured again Wed nite, they got about 2-1/2 days out of this last 7. Haven't done the big tour yet this wk, went to check a duck pond last nite, vacant and drying up. Have a suspicion the big roost that had 30k specks on it last wk will be in the same boat now or very shortly. Haven't seen anything interesting for snows yet, they used to start showing in numbers barely big enough to shoot about now, but, haven't even had any frost to quell skeeters and flies yet, maybe happen this next wk.
Speaking of avian flu, one colony here shut down anyone going on their land this yr, blaming it, they've lost all their turkeys 3 yrs in a row now. But, there were 3-4k birds in the field kitty corner to the residence, when I was over there last Fri. That was a first to hear, if they had any birds over there last yr, I didn't see them.We've smashed a pile of birds over there previously.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Seeing more Sandhill Cranes lately, though. Very cool.

[snowman93]

Birds none stop flying over Fort McMurray today, guessing birds are still pushing down .

[59whiskers]

Snow geese in Viking area.

[Pixel Shooter]

Been a stellar season on geese, limits no prob. mainly specs and lessers. Dux have been very hit miss. Snows past week have really started to build so should be a great week ahead

[roper1]

There is a pile of them east of Calgary. As many big flocks of specs as I can ever remember. Hear them from a long ways away!

[Hunter3006]

Went down to Grande Prairie this past weekend, lot’s of geese…1000s. Lot’s of snows in one particular field. They are definitely making their way down.

[H380]

Originally Posted by 32-40win

Haven't seen a pile of ducks, 3-4 ponds with say 300+ on them last wk, almost none in most places, what little "extra" water we had this month is drying up PDQ again. Last wk had one pond that always had 3-4k specks on it, vacant, this wk it has 10k mixed specks and honkers, looked like 50/50 mix, unusual for around here. Crops finally dried out enough for farmers to get back in them and it poured again Wed nite, they got about 2-1/2 days out of this last 7. Haven't done the big tour yet this wk, went to check a duck pond last nite, vacant and drying up. Have a suspicion the big roost that had 30k specks on it last wk will be in the same boat now or very shortly. Haven't seen anything interesting for snows yet, they used to start showing in numbers barely big enough to shoot about now, but, haven't even had any frost to quell skeeters and flies yet, maybe happen this next wk.

Speaking of avian flu, one colony here shut down anyone going on their land this yr, blaming it, they've lost all their turkeys 3 yrs in a row now. But, there were 3-4k birds in the field kitty corner to the residence, when I was over there last Fri. That was a first to hear, if they had any birds over there last yr, I didn't see them.We've smashed a pile of birds over there previously.

Like folks hunting on a property are gonna bring in bird flu...do birds not ever stop in their land?

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