2005 marks the 18^th year of the “4 square mile survey” in Minnesota and 7^th consecutive year in Iowa.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET) conducts these surveys each year.  This year, wetland conditions were initially dry across the southern two thirds of the survey area.  Mallard pair estimates were lower than in 2004 for the southern half of Minnesota and Iowa, and blue-winged teal pairs were down across the entire survey area.  Heavy rains in May contributed to improved wetland conditions, resulting in increased estimates for nesting intensity and recruitment rates in most areas of the Region.  We estimate that production of young birds for the fall flight was similar to 2004 in Minnesota, but down slightly in Iowa. 

HAPET thanks our many partners for participation and support of this survey.  It could not be done without their cooperation.  The importance of this survey is evidenced by the many requests for mapping products derived from these estimates. 

Copies of the entire report are available from the HAPET office or by download from our web site (by the end of Oct.) at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/hapet/.