Subject: Ducks Unlimited: a Canadian Perspective
Date: Aug 5 09:09:21 1999
From: Jack Bowling - jbowling at direct.ca


On Wed, 04 Aug 1999, Wayne W. wrote:
<big snip>
> Jack Bowling notes one case in B.C. where a DU project improved
> habitat for waterfowl but ruined it for Black Terns. Maybe so, but
> more DU projects in B.C. have benefitted Black Terns than harmed them.
> An example: Guichon Flats-- also called Beaver Ranch Flats-- a large
> wetland halfway between Kamloops and Merritt. This area, on private
> land owned by a local ranching family, used to flood seasonally, but
> would dry up by late spring or early summer, with no waterfowl
> production in most years (and no Black Terns). It is now home to the
> largest Black Tern colony in the area. It is also, to the best of my
> knowledge, the most productive wetland for ducks, American Coots,
> Eared Grebes, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds for almost 100 miles in any
> direction.

Fine. Glad to hear it.

> Jack, you should know better than to condemn DU (at least by
> implication) because of a single instance where waterfowl may have
> benefitted at the expense of non-game birds (Black Terns). I agree
> with you that this is not a desirable outcome. I am not necessarily in
> support of the objectives or outcome of EVERY one of the hundreds of
> DU projects, just as I could probably find fault with some of the
> refuge management priorities of the National Audubon Society. However,
> for every instance like this, there are probably a dozen or more where
> waterfowl and non-game birds have both benefitted. Ducks Unlimited
> (read waterfowl hunters) deserves the thanks and support of all
> birders, especially in Canada, where in some parts of the country, it
> has done more for wetland conservation than all levels of government
> combined.

Pointing out that any consequence for species other than waterfowl on a
DU project is ancillary and not on DU's bottom line is not
condemnation, Wayne, but stating historical fact. Whether that
consequence is bad or good for other species in the past was a roll of
the dice. This seems to be changing now with DU partnering with other
agencies with different agendas so there is hope that the project
prescriptions are now turning more toward multi-user in the wildlife
sense. I agree that, in toto, DU's projects have been beneficial. But
with more knowledgeable planning, they can do even better.

Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca