Migrating Mallards?

Steve, 

Good observation. Many mallards do indeed migrate. According to the authoritative Birds of North America,

“Migration

Short to medium-distance partial migrant; many populations in North America and temperate western Europe are sedentary. Migrates along distinct corridors, 80–250 km wide, between breeding and wintering grounds. Generally uses same corridor for both spring and autumn migration and is faithful to migration corridor after first year (89). Mallards from one breeding area use several different corridors to different wintering areas. Unlike many other dabbling ducks, no pattern between breeding and wintering latitude; i.e., Mallards breeding farthest north do not necessarily winter farthest south (90). Many urban populations and populations at the border between breeding and wintering ranges sedentary or undergo very short movements if water freezes over or if snow covers food.”

For more detail, go to https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/mallar3/distribution#mignat

Mike

Mike Burke

Sent from my iPad

On Dec 21, 2019, at 11:14 AM, Steve Long <steve...@atlanticbb.net> wrote:

This is more a question about bird behavior than IDs.

When I got up this morning and looked out on the cove, I spotted a Barrows Goldeneye, so started scanning the cove for new arrivals.  The Goldeneye seemed to be with a large group of Mallards that was not here, before.  The whole group seems to be migrating.  They appear to have left, now, and small groups of Hooded Mergansers are coming in, building to a sizeable flock. Yesterday, it was an unusually huge number of Canada Geese in the cove and all over our yard, but only a few Canadas, today.  So, this SEEMS like migration groups stopping over on the way further south.

In the 1980s, this cove was home to a large flock of hybrid Mallard/White Ducks (plus one Muscovey) that hung around all year.  That group slowly dwindled, and we have typically seen only a few apparently pure Mallards a few times per year since then. Except today, when there are at least several dozen Mallards that appear to be migrating through.  But, it is also possible that local Mallards have come here from other nearby places as freeze-up is commencing, and hunting is picking up. (We prevent hunting on this cove by buying-up the blind permits each year.) However, their apparent association with the Goldeneye tends  to make me think that these Mallards are probably migrating like native ducks.

So, my question to the group is whether flocks of Mallards are known to migrate along the east coast, now.  If so, where do they typically spend the summers and winters?

Steve Long

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