Aerial Survey Reports
MDWFP biologists fly aerial waterfowl surveys in the Mississippi Delta from November to January. Surveys are typically conducted four times a year along randomly selected transects. As we fly along the east-west transects from the Mississippi River to the hill line, we count all of the ducks seen within a 250-meter strip, which is marked on the airplane. Each group of ducks is recorded with a Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate the maps in the reports below. We then use the total number of ducks counted along the transects to calculate an estimate of all of the ducks in the Mississippi Delta. While not a complete count of all waterfowl, these estimates provide an accurate index of waterfowl abundance throughout the Delta. This information is regularly used by both MDWFP and hunters to identify key wetland areas for waterfowl and to track responses of waterfowl to changes in weather and habitat. In fact, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission adopted this survey method in 2009. These surveys will help biologists and hunters better understand waterfowl migration throughout the lower Mississippi Flyway.
2023-24 Aerial Surveys
- November 2023 Aerial Survey Report
- December 2023 Aerial Survey Report
- Early January 2024 Aerial Survey Report
- Late January 2024 Aerial Survey Report
2022-23 Aerial Surveys
- November 2022 Aerial Survey Report
- December 2022 Aerial Survey Report
- Early January 2023 Aerial Survey Report
- Late January 2023 Aerial Survey Report
2021-22 Aerial Surveys
- November 2021 Aerial Survey Report
- December 2021 Aerial Survey Report
- Early January 2022 Aerial Survey Report
- Late January 2022 Aerial Survey Report
2020-21 Aerial Surveys
- November 2020 Aerial Survey Report
- December 2020 Aerial Survey Report
- Early January 2021 Aerial Survey Report
- Late January 2021 Aerial Survey Report
2019-20 Aerial Surveys
- November 2019 Aerial Survey Report
- December 2019 Aerial Survey Report
- Early January 2020 Aerial Survey Report
- Late January 2020 Aerial Survey Report
Large group of ducks on a flooded cypress brake in the Delta.
View of Howard Miller WMA during a November flight.
Large flock of snow geese observed during a December flight.
Delta Wildlife annually provides MDWFP with financial assistance for conducting aerial waterfowl surveys.
