Illinois Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations W-43-R-65-A Annual Progress Report FY2018

Study objectives were: 1)Inventory abundance and distribution of waterfowl and other waterbirds (≥10 species and guilds) during autumn (September–January) and spring migration (February–April) at a minimum of 30 sites along and nearby the Illinois and central Mississippi Rivers, 2)Use data from an aerial quadrat survey in the central Illinois River Valley to estimate waterfowl and other waterbird population sizes (≥10 species and guilds) during autumn migration for comparison with aerial inventories (Objective1) and make recommendations for modifications to aerial inventory design and methodology, 3)Contribute to efforts to study population ecology of lesser scaup and canvasback by trapping and leg-banding a minimum of 1,000 individuals during spring migration in the Illinois River Valley, 4)Investigate the ecology of American green-winged teal and gadwall by radio-marking a minimum of 40 individuals of each species during spring migration in and nearby the central Illinois RiverValley,5)Determine habitat quality of ≥50 wetland and deepwater polygons during spring, summer, and early autumn for migrating dabbling ducks, breeding wetland birds, and migrating shorebirds, respectively,in Illinois,and6)Distribute results and findings to site managers and biologists of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and other state agencies, the Mississippi Flyway Technical Section, the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region (UMRGLR) Joint Venture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,other scientists and collaborators as requested, and the general public through oral presentations, popular articles, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications; make recommendations for future wetland management practices and research needs based on results and related research; contribute to regional wetland and waterbird conservation planning efforts during the project period as appropriate and requested.