Episode #303 Has Duck Migration Really Changed? 60+ Years of Data Tell the Story

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Has duck migration really changed over the last 60+ years?

Waterfowl hunters have debated it for years. Are ducks staying farther north? Has migration shifted east or west? Are the birds simply not going where they used to?

In this special collaborative episode with the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Mike Brasher, Dr. Heath Hagy, and Dr. Lisa Webb to break down the Verheijen Studies—research that used decades of band recovery data to examine changes in waterfowl migration and distribution from October through January.

The researchers looked at 15 species in the original study and then took a deeper look at mallards, northern pintails, and blue-winged teal.

What they found is fascinating and in some cases, surprising.

We also discuss the question every duck hunter is going to ask: WHY have these changes occurred? Weather? Habitat? Agricultural food sources? Something else?

The current research tells us what has changed. The next phase of their work is attempting to determine why.

This episode gets technical at times, but if you care about ducks, migration, and the future of waterfowl hunting, this is one you won't want to miss.

A special collaboration between the North American Waterfowler Podcast and the Ducks Unlimited Podcast.

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