Louisiana December Waterfowl Survey Estimates
December 2012 waterfowl estimates
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries waterfowl biologists conducted aerial surveys Dec. 2, 5 & 7 in the Southwest and Southeast coastal zones and Dec. 11 in the Catahoula Lake area to estimate waterfowl populations. These survey numbers are compared with the November 2012 and December 2011 survey estimates. Listed first are “dabbling” duck species, then “diving” duck species, then coots (poule d’eau).
* fewer than 1,000 of that species seen in survey area.
Species Southwest Southeast Catahoula Lake Totals
MALLARD 65,000 3,000 13,000 81,000
Nov. 2012 13,000 2,000 2,000 17,000
Dec. 2011 62,000 15,000 20,000 97,0000
MOTTLED DUCKS 26,000 27,000 * 53,000
Nov. 2012 26,000 18,000 ---- 44,000
Dec. 2011 26,000 38,000 0 64,000
GADWALL 450,000 298,000 10,000 758,000
Nov. 2012 421,000 225,000 7,000 653,000
Dec. 2011 372,000 418,000 12,000 802,000
WIGEON 18,000 4,000 2,000 24,000
Nov. 2012 19,000 3,000 * 22,000
Dec. 2011 16,000 18,000 * 34,000
GREENWING TEAL 184,000 52,000 19,000 255,000
Nov. 2012 169,000 78,000 6,000 253,000
Dec. 2011 220,000 169,000 18,000 407,000
BLUEWING TEAL 26,000 8,000 * 34,000
Nov. 2012 24,000 9,000 * 33,000
Dec. 2011 30,000 70,000 * 100,000
SHOVELER 125,000 2,000 3,000 130,000
Nov. 2012 64,000 10,000 7,000 81,000
Dec. 2011 160,000 23,000 * 183,000
PINTAIL 107,000 4,000 108,000 219,000
Nov. 2012 212,000 13,000 78,000 303,000
Dec. 2011 108,000 43,000 82,000 233,000
TOTAL DABBLERS 1,001,000 398,000 155,000 1,554,000
Nov. 2012 948,000 358,000 100,000 1,406,000
Dec. 2011 994,000 794,000 132,000 1,920,000
SCAUP 99,000 56,000 1,000 156,000
Nov. 2012 15,000 9,000 ----- 24,000
Dec. 2011 41,000 152,000 7,000 200,000
RINGNECKS 95,000 172,000 27,000 294,000
Nov. 2012 15,000 16,000 2,000 31,000
Dec. 2011 58,000 144,000 38,000 240,000
CANVASBACK ---- 1,000 56,000 57,000
Nov. 2012 ---- ---- ---- ----
Dec. 2011 31,000 32,000 63,000
TOTAL DIVERS 194,000 229,000 84,000 507,000
Nov. 2012 30,000 25,000 2,000 33,000
Dec. 2011 99,000 327,000 77,000 503,000
TOTAL DUCKS 1,195,000 627,000 239,000 2,061,000
Nov. 2012 978,000 383,000 102,000 1,463,000
Dec. 2011 1,093,000 1,121,000 209,000 2,423,000
COOTS 379,000 424,000 6,000 809,000
Nov. 2012 397,000 158,000 * 555,000
Dec. 2011 833,000 994,000 18,000 1,845,000
Source: Waterfowl Study Group, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries