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The 2008 CWS/USFW Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey report is not yet available. Cursory observations by DUC staff suggest that dry conditions in the early spring in much of the prairies and aspen parkland may have resulted in ducks settling further north in the BTZ, Peace Parkland and boreal forest. However, there appears to be good numbers of birds in the prairie and parkland and broods are starting to hatch. Mallard, northern pintail, common goldeneye and northern shoveler broods have been reported. Canada geese broods are a common sight and goslings are maturing rapidly. Goose production may have been impacted in some areas by late season snowfalls in April-May. Some goose and duck nests in low-lying areas may also have been flooded by the recent rains.

Wetland conditions in Saskatchewan are generally poor in the prairies and improve as you move north into the parklands where habitat conditions are good. Temperatures have also been cool across the province and up until the last two weeks there was little rain in the prairies or parklands. Recent rain events delivered 10-15 cm of precipitation to the southeast and 3-8 cm of precipitation across the rest of the province. The rain in the southeast improved wetland conditions, but most of the moisture went into the ground because the area was so dry prior to the rains. The Missouri Coteau is dry and wetlands are in poor condition, while areas such as the Thickwood Hills (northwest), Allan Hills (northcentral), Touchwood Hills (northcentral) and the Upper Assiniboine (northeast) areas have good wetland conditions.
Mallard and pintail broods that are 1-2 weeks old (age classes 1a and 1b) have been sighted in many areas across the province and the SpATS research crew found over 100 nests within the Allan Dana Hills (northcentral) study site. Interestingly, pairs of ducks and 3-bird flights are still being observed on ponds throughout the parklands, suggesting breeding effort may have been slightly delayed by the cool temperatures. Goose broods have been observed since late May and early June. Overall, the duck breeding effort should be good in the parklands but poor in the prairies.

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