Early reports from the Central Valley indicate an unusual influx of white-fronted geese, leaving both scientists and waterfowl hunters intrigued. Typically, small flocks of these geese can be spotted from the Oregon border down to the Mendota Wildlife Area in the San Joaquin Valley during late September and early October. However, this year, the sheer size of the flocks working in dry fields, newly flooded wetlands, and rice fields is remarkable.
The reason behind this early migration from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska remains uncertain, but the mass movement of these sought-after geese has heightened expectations for an exciting duck and goose hunting season, which kicks off on October 18 in most areas of the state. Notably, about one-third of all wintering waterfowl in California come from Alaska.
Another positive development is the significant rise in local waterfowl production, particularly among northern pintails, which have increased by 50 percent compared to last year. This surge brings the total to 265,640 breeding birds, the highest count since 2018, largely thanks to improved habitat conditions at Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges (NWR), where sufficient water has returned following a winter marked by unprecedented snowfall in northeastern California. Hunters are also excited about the new three-bird daily limit for northern pintails.
After the Northeastern Zone opener on October 4, field scout Yancey Forrest Knowles noted, “There were a lot of birds around, like in the good old days.” He observed large flocks of mallards, northern pintails, and green-winged teal at Lower Klamath’s Miller Lake and the closed-zone sump at Tule Lake. The population of other species also appears strong. This year, hunters will have access to approximately 1,000 acres of walk-in wetlands at Tule Lake, presenting a new opportunity.
The combination of adequate water and favorable habitat has drawn substantial concentrations of waterfowl to Modoc NWR, as well as to Butte Valley, Shasta Valley, Ash Creek, and Honey Lake Wildlife Areas.
The overarching hope is that the increased number of birds hatched in northeastern California this year will join those migrating from Alaska and Canada, filling the skies and winter habitats further south in the Central Valley.
This optimism is already becoming evident. In northern California, flooded rice fields stretching from east of Marysville to west of Gridley and south of Yuba City are teeming with white-fronted geese. At Dingville, northern pintails, green-winged teal, and other ducks are prevalent, while white-fronted geese gather in flocks numbering in the hundreds.
Normal flooding, combined with timely water management, is welcoming birds at Sutter, Sacramento, Colusa, and Delevan NWRs, as well as at Gray Lodge, the state’s premier wildlife area, where sufficient water has allowed for 1,600 acres of spring irrigation.
West of Sacramento and along the Sacramento River–San Joaquin River Delta, the local hatch of mallards has been robust. While few northern birds have been spotted so far, northern pintails and sandhill cranes are exceptions. White-fronted geese are already abundant at Ryer Island and the Nature Conservancy’s Staton Island, as well as in private fields along Interstate 5 between Sacramento and Stockton.
The renowned Suisun Marsh has produced impressive numbers of gadwall and mallards this summer. At Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, around 850 acres of summer water were maintained to enhance production.
“Seeing so many whitefronts this early in the year is wonderful,” says John Trede, who hunts in both the Delta and Grasslands. “It is so unusual and makes me wonder if ducks will be migrating early as well.”
In the northern San Joaquin Valley, pintails were spotted during the last week of July at Volta Wildlife Area and in private waters within the Grasslands Ecological Area between Los Banos and Dos Palos. The buildup of ducks throughout the Grasslands has been impressive, with pintails, green-winged teal, and shovelers utilizing open water. Local mallards, which had a decent production year, are primarily found in the riparian zones.
Further south, the outlook at Mendota Wildlife Area is promising, although water is limited, and not all wetlands will be flooded. As usual, Kern NWR will not open until October 18. The San Jacinto Valley, including duck clubs and the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, is fully flooded, but duck numbers are low.
“We’re just not seeing birds,” reports Joe Fass at the Ramona Duck Club. “It is warm, 95 degrees on October 10, not exactly what you’d call duck weather. We’ve grown a ton of swamp timothy, so the table is set when the birds do arrive.”
Source: https://www.ducks.org/hunting/migration-alerts/migration-alert-optimism-for-duck-season-soars-in-california-due-to-good-habitat-waterfowl-numbers
