Annual Waterfowl Aerial Survey

Since 1988, increasing numbers of waterfowl have migrated to our cities to survive the winter. Generally, the milder the winter, the more ducks and geese tend to stay in the state. A long period of subfreezing temperature and a thick snow cover tends to drive them further south.

Many of these ducks and geese are year-round residents; in the winter of 2002, 6,909 mallards, 721 black ducks and 1,025 Canada geese were observed in southern New Hampshire towns. Typically, a majority of these birds sought the city lights and heat, so Manchester, Bedford, Merrimack and Nashua harbored a significant number of these birds. Occasionally, an odd bird shows up too.

Wood ducks, green-winged teal and even a hooded merganser or two decide to wait out the winter far north of most of their brethren. Talk about an odd duck, we've got them too! Type: Marine Waterbody or Watershed Names: GREAT BAY ESTUARY; THE HAMPTON/ SEABROOK SALTMARSHES; COASTAL NH; ISLE OF SHOALS