In the chilly weeks of early January, the skies and shorelines of Maryland played host to an important environmental ritual. Teams of pilots and biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took to the air for the annual Midwinter Waterfowl Survey, a critical effort to estimate the populations of ducks, geese, and swans along the state’s Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River, and Atlantic coast. The 2024 survey recorded approximately 593,200 waterfowl, a slight dip from 2023’s count of 632,200 but still in line with the five-year average of 596,500 birds.
Karina Stonesifer, the Wildlife and Heritage Director, emphasized the significance of these surveys in understanding waterfowl behavior and population trends. “Waterfowl are continually responding to environmental cues like weather and food availability as they seek resources necessary to ensure their survival,” Stonesifer explained. The data collected from these surveys contribute to a larger picture of waterfowl abundance and distribution, not just in Maryland but across state, regional, and continental scales, aiding in managing these valuable resources.
The survey results indicated that the numbers for dabbling ducks, at 91,300, remained relatively stable compared to the previous year’s count of 93,600. Notably, the populations of mallards and black ducks hovered close to their five-year averages, with 45,100 and 24,200 counted, respectively. However, green-winged teal numbers significantly increased to 17,500, marking a departure from recent trends.
The timing of the survey, conducted just before a spell of cold weather in late January, may have impacted the numbers, particularly for diving ducks, which saw a decrease to 190,300 from 2023’s count. In contrast, Canada’s geese populations rose to 350,500, exceeding both the previous year’s figures and the five-year average.
The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey, a tradition since the early 1960s, encompasses most of Maryland’s tidal shorelines and near-shore waterfowl habitats. This extensive coverage ensures a comprehensive snapshot of the state’s waterfowl populations, offering invaluable insights for conservation and management strategies.
These annual surveys are more than a counting exercise; they are a testament to the ongoing commitment of Maryland’s environmental agencies to monitor and safeguard the state’s waterfowl populations. Through the meticulous collection and analysis of data, Maryland contributes to broader efforts to understand and preserve the natural heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding ecosystems for future generations.
Midwinter Waterfowl Survey Results 2019-2024*
Figures rounded to the nearest hundred
Species 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024 Mallard 39,000 56,000 53,500 56,800 45,100 Black Duck 17,200 21,000 24,600 21,800 24,200 Gadwall 4,800 10,800 6,800 3,400 2,600 Widgeon 1,200 1,100 300 1,900 500 Green-winged teal 1,500 2,000 6,900 6,200 17,500 Shoveler 100 300 900 200 100 Pintail 600 1,800 4,600 3,300 1,300 Total Dabblers 64,400 93,000 97,600 93,600 91,300 Redhead 20,600 10,600 7,000 12,800 10,000 Canvasback 46,000 46,900 7,700 57,800 18,800 Scaup 72,100 59,000 29,500 74,000 28,400 Ring-necked duck 1,100 3,000 2,100 6,200 7,000 Goldeneye 100 300 100 400 300 Bufflehead 13,200 11,400 10,600 16,800 16,300 Ruddy duck 28,900 18,500 22,400 22,300 39,500 Total Divers 182,000 149,700 79,400 190,300 120,300 Scoters 27,800 5,700 1,300 3,400 1,800 Long-tailed Duck 300 200 100 100 100 Mergansers 2,000 2,300 1,400 1,700 1,900 Total Ducks 276,500 250,900 179,800 289,100 215,400 Brant 900 900 200 400 1,100 Snow Goose 34,700 40,900 13,600 12,500 16,100 Canada Goose 250,200 327,200 361,100 320,800 350,500 Tundra Swan 4,000 7,100 7,400 7,300 9,600 Total Waterfowl 566,300 627,000 563,800 632,200 593,200
*The survey was not conducted in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
