The refuge’s mallard, Northern pintail and greenwing teal populations were cut nearly in half in this week’s count, though wood duck, Northern shoveler and ringed-neck duck populations grew slightly.
The refuge noted 74,500 snow geese, along with 3,775 greater white-fronted geese and 1,650 Canada geese.
The refuge’s wetlands, located in Mound City, Mo., give a good representation of what waterfowl numbers in the Midwest look like.
More locally, Jeffrey Energy Center counted 750 mixed ducks and 40,000-plus snow geese and approximately 75 Canada geese on its auxiliary lake as of Tuesday, according to a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism report. Perry Reservoir saw significantly decreased duck numbers on Monday but hoped to see more come in with the next cold front to hit the area.
Milford Wildlife Area observed 3,000 ducks and 500 Canada geese on Wednesday.