The fall waterfowl migration season has ended at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  The last of nine surveys conducted on Nov. 18, 2005, showed that all waterfowl had left the refuge to continue on their journey south.  The refuge’s wetlands have frozen over. 

This year’s peak count was on Oct. 14 when 86,500 waterfowl were observed from 13 different species including 60,000 ring-necked ducks; 20,000 mallards and 700 Canada geese.  The refuge shares the fall waterfowl migration data with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources whom compile waterfowl data from across the state.  These data are accessible to the public. 

The refuge fall waterfowl migration counts can be found on the web at http://midwest.fws.gov/RiceLake/, the statewide fall waterfowl migration reports can be found on the web at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/waterfowl/index.html   .