Pennsylvania Game News - January 2010 - 9

Black ducks have been at very low densities since the survey was initiated, and have been declining here since the mid-1990s. There were 63,235 wood duck breeding pairs, 25 percent above the average of 50,665 and the second highest recorded. The estimate was not significantly above average, through. Trends in wood duck abundance indicate stable to slightly increasing populations. The estimates of total blue-winged teal (7,814) and American green-winged teal (5,569) were near average in 2009. Teal abundance in this survey can vary dramatically from year to year due to weather related impacts on teal migration. Because teal migrate relatively late, we don’t believe these estimates are indicative of breeding populations of teal in PA. Estimates of total hooded mergansers (2,982) were near average, while the total common merganser estimate (12,420) was below average. The trends for both breeding merganser species have been stable since 1993. The 2009 Canada goose breeding pairs estimate was 88,773, similar to average (91,918). The 2009 total population estimate of 290,339 was similar to the recent 6year average of 254,282. As expected, the highest goose densities were in southeastern and northwestern Pennsylvania. The Canada goose spring population appears to have stabilized, at between 250,000 and 300,000, following the rapid growth observed during the 1990s. This is a result of significant expansion of hunting seasons and other programs implemented to control Canada goose numbers. This population remains well above the Resident Population management plan goal of 100,000. In November 2008 the USFWS allowed Atlantic Flyway states to implement additional hunting methods and expanded seasons to reduce overabundant greater snow geese. The snow goose conservation season in Pennsylvania was held March 11-April 1, 2009. Hunters were allowed to use expanded hunting hours (until a half hour after sunset) and electronic calls. There were 3,276 free permits issued; 96 were obtained through online registration. The 1,724 individuals who indicated that they hunted during the season took 5,903 snow geese. Use of electronic calls accounted for 26 percent of the geese taken, while extended hunting hours accounted for only 12 percent. In 2009, a record of at least 170 bald eagle nests, including 36 new locations, were monitored. Where eagle populations are reaching the saturation point, in the northwest and upper Delaware River, reports of eagle-to-eagle conflicts at or near nests have increased, with eagles occasionally interfering with established pairs. Twenty-four active peregrine falcon nesting sites were monitored, including three new nesting sites. Of these, 21 nests were successful, producing 68 young, of which 56 were banded. This fiscal year, 125 school children were involved in our annual peregrine falcon banding at the Rachel Carson State Office Building. The 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas effort completed fieldwork in 2009, resulting in about 150,000 additional data records. Data were recorded from all blocks, thanks to more than 3,000 volunteers who logged 9,300 hours of fieldwork. A major expansion in osprey was documented, but declines in many wetland birds were apparent. The status of all breeding birds will be redefined by this project. Great egrets, black-crowned night-herons and yellow-crowned night-herons are classified as endangered in Pennsylvania. These and other colonial wading birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance because their nests are clustered in colonies. Active nests were counted in spring 2009 at the only two known great egret colonies and 10 black-crowned night-heron colonies. The annual survey at Wade Island counted 116 black-crowned night-heron nests and 197 great egret nests, both increases. Doublecrested cormorant nests on Wade Island also increased, from 112 in 2008 to 120 in 2009; the growing cormorant population is a concern because it increases competition JANUARY 2010 9

Pennsylvania Game News - January 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - January 2010