What is the status of Maine's waterfowl populations?
Waterfowl populations in Maine are difficult to characterize.
- First, they are migratory, which causes major seasonal fluctuations in species composition and abundance.
- Second, waterfowl utilize a wide variety of habitat types based on seasonal preferences, which results in populations shifting within Maine.
- A third factor is the diversity of species involved.
Most breeding populations of ducks in Maine have been stable or have increased slightly since 1996. Black ducks have stabilized from previous declines, Common Goldeneyes have declined, and wintering numbers of Mallards and Canada Geese have increased.
Since 1985, brood counts of Black Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, Blue-winged Teal, and Common Mergansers have declined; broods of Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and Green-winged Teal have remained stable; and Mallard broods have slightly increased.
The Common Eider, almost extirpated in the late 1800s primarily from egg collecting and year-round shooting, has since recovered. Between 1977 and 2003, nesting pairs of Common Eiders increased from 22,390 in 241 colonies, to 29,000 in 321 colonies.
The Harlequin Duck is listed as a Threatened Species in Maine. During winter, Maine supports a significant portion of the eastern North American population of Harlequin Ducks, which is found primarily around Isle au Haut and surrounding islands in Jericho and Penobscot Bays. Maine 's wintering population of Harlequin Ducks is estimated at 1,150 – 1,300 birds.
The Barrow's Goldeneye is a species of Special Concern in Maine. Its status is currently being reviewed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
