(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Extreme cold conditions on Michigans waters are causing some trouble for Michigans waterfowl, according to the Michigan DNR.
The exceptionally cold winter weather of the past few weeks has caused the rivers and waters of the Great Lakes to freeze further into the center, similar to conditions experienced last year.
Large concentrations of ducks like canvasbacks, long-tailed ducks, redheads and scaup are gathering in the remaining areas of open water on the Great Lakes, including western Lake Erie, and on large rivers like the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. With so many ducks in a small area, and a fairly small amount of food, some of these ducks are becoming malnourished.
Many of the ducks congregating on these rivers and lakes are diving ducks, which rely on a diet of aquatic vegetation, mollusks and small fish. Much of the area on the water where these ducks are congregating is deep, and weed growth is minimal, so food for these ducks can be very scarce. The food that is available is depleted quickly by large concentrations of ducks.
Even so, the DNR urges the public not to attempt to rescue ducks. The DNR does not expect these losses to negatively affect overall duck populations.