The Pacific flyway - Waterfowl in the Pacific flyway of North America

T h e Pacific flyway encompasses approximately the western quarter of North America.Between its breeding grounds and wintering areas pass some 10 million swans, geese and ducks each year.In the United States portion of the flyway these birds are hunted by about 450,000 sportsmen and are enjoyed by countless others.The Pacific flyway is one of four flyways recognised in North America.Although many birds pass from one to another, the flyway boundaries generally follow mountain ranges or other geographical features restricting movement between flyways.Waterfowl surveys, research, hunting regulations and other matters pertaining to this resource are carried out on a flyway basis.This article, using the Pacific flyway as an example, illustrates the activities being carried out with regard to waterfowl in the United States.Mention is also made of the main species of the Pacific flyway and their migration patterns. MIGRATIONS, SPECIES AND POPULATIONSExtensive surveys carried out by Federal and State Governments of the United States, Canadian Government agencies and private organisations have revealed much basic data on the Pacific flyway in recent years.These surveys are de signed primarily to serve as a basis for drawing up hunting regulations, which vary from year to year according to populations and conditions.The methods by which these surveys are taken will be described later.Alaska, southern Alberta and Saskatchewan contribute well over half of duck and goose production of the flyway.Other important breeding areas include northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories; followed by British Columbia and the states of Washington, Oregon, California and Montana.Other states of the flyway, including Idaho, Utah and Nevada, contribute minor quantities of ducks and geese.Wintering areas and intermediate refuges are just as important to the main tenance of the flyway as breeding grounds.While the ducks and geese of the Pacific fly way nest over a vast region, their wintering areas are most restricted.The state of California winters about 60 % of these birds and Mexico about 12 %.British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho combined winter only 25 % of these birds, while other portions of the flyway have even less.Many parts of the flyway serve as important midway points between breeding areas and wintering areas.California, however, is the main concentration point for