Country Ecology: Blue-winged teal

I am not a duck hunter but am fascinated with what we do to manage waterfowl populations of such beautiful birds. Their migrations are phenomenal, and it is during this time of year they are shot at while en route to wintering grounds far to the south of New Hampshire. If you admire ducks, too, photographs of various species can be Googled up now with the continuing improvements in digital camera work.

Blue-winged teal are the second most abundant duck in North America, behind the ubiquitous mallard. Their numbers fluctuate between about 2.8 million and 7.4 million birds, mainly as a response to water conditions, with droughts causing populations to fall.