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Massachusetts has been a leader
in waterfowl research since the turn of the century. The term "waterfowl"
includes ducks, geese and swans. As long ago as 1908, the State Ornithologist
conducted basic life history studies on many bird species, including waterfowl.
It was in Massachusetts that it was discovered that there was only one
type of black duck. The 1925 edition of Forbush's Birds of New England
had listed two species, but Massachusetts' research showed that the so-called
"red-legged black ducks" were not a seperate subspecies at all. They were
merely adult males that didn't migrate south from Canada until late December!
In the 1950s and '60s much
of the basic research on the ecology of the wood duck was conducted by
MassWildlife's waterfowl biologists working across the state and
especially on the Great Meadows impoundments in Concord. In the 1970s,
Massachusetts' waterfowl research centered on mallards, with the eventual
recognition by the US Fish and Wildlife Service that eastern mallards
are a separate population and can be managed differently than prairie
mallards. In the late 1980s and throughout the '90s, research on Canada
geese has shown that there are two separate populations, one migratory,
the other resident. This has led to the development of special hunting
seasons to help control growing populations of nonmigratory resident geese
while protecting the migratory population, which had declined temporarily
due to a number of cold, wet breeding seasons. Most recently, New England-based
research has confirmed historic accounts that a separate population of
Canada geese breeds in maritime Canada and that these birds winter predominantly
in southern New England and on Long Island, New York.
In addition to conducting
its own research, MassWildlife cooperates in joint survey efforts
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and with biologists from other state fish and wildlife agencies. As part
of the cooperative interstate effort to manage waterfowl, the Division
takes part in annual mid-winter waterfowl surveys, heads up the northeastern
waterfowl breeding survey, engages in summer
banding efforts, and participates in the Atlantic Flyway Council meetings.
MassWildlife maintains
over 1,600 wood duck nest boxes throughout the state. Additional boxes
have been built and placed by school and scout groups, sportsmen and other
interested individuals. This is important for wood ducks, as they depend
on tree cavities for nesting. Massachusetts' forests are relatively young
and thrifty tree farming has minimized the number of old trees with suitable
nesting cavities. Developing suitable wood duck boxes and placing them
in the right locations has been key to restoring wood ducks in the Commonwealth.
MassWildlife is also
working closely with Ducks Unlimited
to restore and preserve valuable wildlife marshes. Funds from the sale
of Massachusetts' duck stamps are set aside to support habitat purchase
and improvement, research and surveys through the North American Waterfowl
Management plan, and acquire and manage marshes in eastern Canada. Also,
the revenue raised from the sale of Massachusetts' land stamps (required
of anyone hunting or fishing in Massachusetts) is earmarked for the acquisition
of key habitat areas including wetlands used by waterfowl and other wildlife.
This program generates more than $500,000 per year for wildlife lands!
Other Waterfowl
Links
Frequently
Asked Questions About Waterfowl --The most commonly asked questions
about ducks, geese and swans.
Massachusetts
Canada Goose Management Regulations  --
Explanatory document on laws
affecting people who are seeking relief from nuisance goose situations
in the state.
Living
With Canada geese--Natural history and historic information about
how Canada geese came to reside in Massachusetts and ways to prevent goose
grief on your property!
Goose
Banding In Massachusetts -- Find out how MassWildlife biologists are
able to band Canada geese and what information is being recorded for waterfowl
studies!
Questions? Comments?
Contact: Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us
Date Last Updated:
September 13, 2006
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