Nest Success and Duckling Survival of Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, at Grassy Island, New Brunswick

Authors

  • Nicole M. Tatman Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409
  • Jon T. McRoberts Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409
  • W. Andrew Smith Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Bag Service # 45111, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 6E1
  • Warren B. Ballard Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409
  • F. Patrick Kehoe Ducks Unlimited Canada, 1606 4th Avenue, P.O. Box 4465, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3W7
  • Timothy G. Dilworth Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Bag Service # 45111, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 6E1

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v123i4.1001

Keywords:

Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, nest success, duckling survival, New Brunswick

Abstract

Nesting biology and duckling survival of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) at Grassy Island on the Saint John River in southern New Brunswick were compared between 1995 and 1996. Grassy Island in New Brunswick is an area that is notably removed from other scaup breeding areas, being located farther south from main breeding areas in North America. The Mayfield estimates of nest success were 61% and 21% in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Mean daily survival rates were 0.99 in 1995 and 0.96 in 1996 and were significantly different (t = 4.86, P < 0.001). Duckling survival was estimated to range from 38 to 54% in 1995, and was 8% in 1996. The lower breeding success in 1996 may have been due to factors associated with decreased temperatures and increased precipitation, but the fact that the breeding location is atypical to other Greater Scaup breeding areas should not be overlooked.

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Issue

Vol. 123 No. 4 (2009)

Section

Articles

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