Upland grasses along the valley's foothills are a lush green and already knee-high. In the San Joaquin Valley Grasslands, reports of early mallard broods are being reported and spring wetlands should remain plentiful due to this year's above-average rainfall.
Excellent habitat conditions can also be found in the Sacramento Valley. Early results from nesting surveys performed by CWA field crews in the Sacramento Valley agricultural landscape indicate that mallard nest initiations are well underway. Currently, rice ground is rapidly being prepared for this year's crop and soon several hundred thousand acres of brood water will be made available for mallards in this region.
Department of Fish and Game, and California Waterfowl Association biologists will be conducting the state's annual waterfowl breeding pair survey early next week. Results of the survey will be made available following the survey's completion in late May.
Source: California Waterfowl Association (CWA)
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