2. INVENTORY GROUP

The diverse habitats of British Columbia support populations of many species of waterfowl and their allies during some part or all of their life cycles (i.e., breeding, moulting, migrating, and wintering). Abundant wetlands, including small lakes, ponds, sloughs, marshes, bogs, wet meadows, flooded fields, slow-moving streams, ditches, and sewage lagoons scattered along the coast and throughout the interior provide extensive breeding habitat. The long coastline with its many small estuaries, islands, and bays is important for spring and fall migrants. The moderate climate of the south coast and, to a lesser extent, the southern interior supports the highest numbers of wintering species in Canada.

Table 1 summarizes the distribution, habitat preferences, and the general timing of the breeding season and migration movements for each species. These summaries are based primarily on information collected to the end of December 1987 by Campbell et al. (1990). Seasonal distribution patterns for each species are clearly presented on map sheets of the National Topographic Grid System in Campbell et al. (1990).

Four of the species in this inventory category appear on BC's Blue List. Trumpeter Swans, Oldsquaw, Surf Scoters, and Sandhill Cranes are considered to be vulnerable or sensitive. The breeding populations of these species are very small within BC. This may mean that suitable breeding habitat is limited but, to date, the nesting populations of these species have not been well studied in BC.

Other species are of special concern because a substantial proportion of the North American, and, sometimes, world's population is found in the province. BC supports 60 to 90% of the world's population of breeding Barrow's Goldeneye (Campbell et al. 1990). Over half the North American population of Sandhill Cranes pass through northeastern BC moving to and from their Alaskan breeding grounds. BC is a major migration corridor for large proportions of the North American populations of Trumpeter Swans, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Brant, and Surf Scoters. Approximately 35% of the world's population of Trumpeter Swans winter in southwestern BC (USFWS. and CWS 1990).

Species that are most heavily harvested in BC should be closely monitored. Mallards compose the highest percentage of harvested species in the inventory group. Migrant and wintering Brant and Snow Geese concentrate in a relatively small area of the Fraser River delta where they are subjected to potentially intense hunting pressures. There has been a southward shift in the winter distribution of Brant over the last 15-30 years, thus, there is concern about hunting pressure on BC's wintering birds.

Management policies for North American duck species are based mainly on the population dynamics of Mallards because they are abundant and most easily inventoried (Nichols 1991). Patterson (1979) and Bailey (1981) emphasized the differences among the life history patterns of North American duck species and noted the relevance of these differences to management. For example, Mallards and Blue-winged Teal exhibit relatively low annual survival rates and lack density dependent mechanisms of population regulation (characteristic of r-strategists), whereas Canvasbacks and other diving ducks have higher annual survival rates and exhibit density dependence (characteristic of K-strategists). Sea ducks exhibit extreme K-selection (Eadie et al. 1988). It is important that concentrated efforts be made to collect more extensive data on at least some representative species of the K-strategists (Goudie et al. 1994).

Table 1. Status, distribution, habitat requirements and timing of life history events for each species during breeding, migration and wintering periods in BC according to Campbell et al. (1990).

The common and Latin names follow the most recent Check-list of North American Birds (AOU 1983 and seven supplements between 1985 and 1997 as summarized in Campbell 1998). The standardized 5-letter codes for each species name are used throughout BC in field recording and data base systems. Ecoregions according to Demarchi (1995, 1996). Dates for eggs and young correspond to the time when > 50% of the records occurred. Timing of peak migration movements are given for the south coast. Movements through the northern interior tend to be later in spring and earlier in the fall.

Abbreviations for ecoregions: CM = Coast and Mountains; GD = Georgia Depression; SI = Southern Interior; SIM = Southern Interior Mountains; CI = Central Interior; SBI = Sub-boreal Interior; NBM = Northern Boreal Mountains; TP = Taiga Plains; BP = Boreal Plains.

Species (Status in BC)	Breeding distribution (ecoregions), habitat, and timing of egg laying & brood rearing	Non-breeding distribution (ecoregions), habitat, and timing of main migration movements
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata B-RTLO (Yellow List)	Along coast from S. Vancouver Isle to Kitsault, Queen Charlotte Isles and Chilkat Pass area. (CM, GD) Nests in small freshwater lakes surrounded by forests or alpine tundra; forages nearby on ocean or large lakes. Nests near water's edge. Eggs: 30 May - 15 June Young: 5-27 July	Flocks of <50 on the south coast, mainly in the Strait of Georgia and Juan de Fuca Strait in shallow, protected inshore waters, e.g., bays, inlets, lagoons and estuaries. Casual throughout the interior scattered on larger lakes and slow moving rivers. Spring movement: late Apr. - early May Fall movement: Sept. - Oct.
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica B-PALO (Yellow List)	Teslin Plateau and Liard Basin (NBM, CM) on freshwater lakes and ponds usually surrounded by forests. Nests near water's edge. Eggs: late May - early July Young: late June - early Aug.	Flocks of 100-1000 distributed along coast, especially in the Strait of Georgia (GD, CM) in nutrient-rich areas, e.g., where Pacific herring spawn. Very rare in the interior (SI, SIM, NBM, BP). Prefers deeper waters but frequents bays, estuaries, surge channels and coves. Spring movement: late April-early June Fall movement: Sept. - Oct.
Common Loon Gavia immer B-COLO (Yellow List)	Widespread throughout BC, most abundant in the Thompson-Okanagan and Fraser plateaus and the Fraser Basin (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM, TP). Nests near water's edge on freshwater lakes in forested and open regions. Eggs: 27 May - 16 June Young: 22 June - 17 July	Flocks of <20 along coast, most abundant at northern end of Strait of Georgia, off Fraser River delta and east end of Juan de Fuca Strait Larger lakes in the interior and protected bays, inlets and harbours on the coast. (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM) Spring movement: late Apr. - early May Fall movement: early - mid Oct.
Yellow-billed Loon B-YBLO Gavia adamsii (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Small groups of <7. Along coast mainly in sheltered waters and scattered throughout the interior (CM, GD, SI). Spring movement: late Mar. - May Fall movement: late Sept. - early Dec.
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps B-PBGR (Yellow List)	Southern coast, southern interior to Quesnel, the Peace Lowlands and rarely in the Fort Nelson Lowlands (GD, CI, SI, SIM, BP, TP). Nests in wetlands with emergent vegetation of reeds, rushes, sedges and grasses Nests built on water attached to emergent vegetation Eggs: 16 May - 10 June Young: 18 June - 20 July	Flocks of <20 in calm marine and freshwater areas near Ladner, Victoria and Vancouver and on larger lakes in the south central interior north to the Chilcotin-Cariboo (CM, SI, CI, SIM, GD). Spring movement: late Mar. - .Apr. Fall movement: late Aug. - Sept.
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus B-HOGR (Yellow List)	Widespread east of the Coast Ranges, most abundant in the Chilcotin-Cariboo Basin and Thompson-Okanagan Plateau regions (CI, SI, SIM, BP, NBP, TP). Freshwater lakes and marshes with emergent vegetation. Nests anchored among emergent vegetation in shallow water. Eggs: 12 June -4 July Young: 8 - 28 July	Along coast, especially, Clayoquot Sound, Strait of Georgia, Fraser River estuary, Haro Strait, and in southern interior, especially Okanagan Lake, Kootenay Lake, Lower Arrow Lake and Columbia River. (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM) Inshore waters along the coast and sheltered areas of larger lakes in the interior. Spring movement: Apr. - May Fall movement: late Sept.
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons B-GWFG (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Mostly bypasses BC except under poor weather conditions. Mainly coastal and a few records in central southern interior (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM). Shallow waters of sloughs, marshes, ponds and lagoons, flooded and dry fields, lakes, mud flats and golf courses. Spring movement: mid-Apr. - early May Fall movement: mid-Sept. - mid Oct.
Emperor Goose Chen canagica B-EMGO (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Very rare along the coast (CM, GD). Rocky shores, breakwaters, jetties and spits.
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens B-SNGO (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Large concentration in inner coastal area of southeastern Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound in marshes off the Fraser River delta (GD, CM). Widespread but scattered (flocks of <10) throughout the central and southern interior (CI, SI, SIM). Estuarine marshes with bulrush rhizomes and agricultural fields. Spring movement: late Mar. - Apr. Fall movement: mid-Sept. - Nov.
Ross's Goose Chen rossii B-ROGO (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Very rare on the inside of the south coast and in the central interior (GD, CI, SI, SIM).
Canada Goose Branta canadensis B-CAGO (Yellow List)	Widespread throughout BC near any source of permanent water (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM, TP). Inland and coastal wetlands, islands in lakes, tundra, muskeg, agricultural fields, ditches, dykes and sewage lagoons. Nests on ground, in Osprey or Bald Eagle nests, beaver lodges, artificial platforms usually close to water. Eggs: 18 Apr. - 2 May Young: 14 May - 15 June	Throughout southern areas - along coast especially the Fraser Lowlands and southeastern Vancouver Island; in the interior, the Okanagan and Thompson basins and Revelstoke area (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP). Anywhere that water and grazing areas are available. Spring movement: late Mar. - mid-May Fall movement : late Oct. - Nov.
Brant Branta bernicla B-BRAN (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Concentrated at Boundary Bay and the east coast of Vancouver Island from Victoria to Campbell River (GD, CM). Estuaries, beaches, bays, lagoons and mudflats near beds of eelgrass. Fall migration occasionally witnessed at sea off Vancouver Island. Spring movement: late Mar. - early Apr.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor B-MUSW Introduced (Yellow List)	Feral breeding population on southern Vancouver Island from Duncan to Sooke (GD). Lakes and brackish lagoons. Nests on shore, in shallow water, at edge of emergent growth or on artificial platforms. Eggs: 15 May- 7 June Young: 10 June - 20 July	Coastal areas of southeastern and southern Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia (GD, SI). Lagoons, lakes, estuaries Sedentary.
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator B-TRUS (Blue List)	Small number in the Peace Lowlands and northeastern BC (CM, CI, BP, TP, NBM). Large and small freshwater lakes surrounded by forest. On the edge or among emergent vegetation including bulrushes, sedges, cattail and horsetails. Eggs: 8-21 June Young: 23 June - mid Sept.	From south coast concentrated on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Lowlands north through Francois Lake region (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Estuaries, agricultural fields, sloughs, lakes, bays along coast. Lakes, marshes, sloughs, ponds, slow moving rivers in the interior. Spring movement: late Feb. - early Apr. Fall movement: late Nov.
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus B-TUSW (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Groups of <100 most abundant in Fraser River Delta and Nicomen Slough on coast and in Thompson and Okanagan Valleys in the interior (GD, CM, CI, SI, SIM, BP, SBI). Flooded fields, lakes, and brackish bays, estuaries and inlets on the coast. Open water in lakes and rivers in the interior. Spring movement: mid-Apr. Fall movement: mid-late Oct.
Wood Duck Aix sponsa B-WODU (Yellow List)	Southern Vancouver Island, Fraser Lowlands, the southern interior, especially Creston, north to Williams Lake (GD, CI, SI, SIM). Mature deciduous woodlands adjacent to lowland ponds, sloughs, slow-moving rivers. Nests in cavities of mature deciduous trees. Eggs: 7 May - 1 June Young: 5 June - 5 July	Resident in Fraser Lowlands and southern Vancouver Island Wintering birds on the south coast and in the Okanagan Basin (GD, CI, SI, SIM, CM). Waterways associated with dense stands of mature forest, emergent vegetation and overhanging brush. Rarely marine. Spring movement: mid-Mar. Fall movement: mid-Sept.
Gadwall Anas strepera B-GADW (Yellow List)	Central-southern BC from Creston and Grand Forks north to Williams Lake, the Fraser Lowlands and Peace Lowlands (GD, CI, SI, SIM, BP, TP). Wetlands in the grasslands and open forested areas. Coastal brackish marshes, farmlands, sewage lagoons and lakes. Nests on the ground. Eggs: 28 May - 15 June Young: 1 - 24 July	Primarily southeastern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Lowlands and the Okanagan Basin; small numbers along the coast (CM, GD, SI, SIM, CI). Coastal and interior wetlands, flooded fields, lakes, and large slow-moving rivers. Uses deeper and more open waters than other dabblers. Spring movement: late Apr. - May Fall movement: Sept. - Oct.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope B-EUWI (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Mainly along inside southeastern Vancouver Island and the Fraser Lowlands in fall and winter. Spring migrants disperse mainly through the interior (CM, GD, SI, SIM). Wetlands and flooded fields, golf courses. Spring movement: mid Apr. - early May Fall movement: Oct.
American Wigeon Anas americana B-AMWI (Yellow List)	Most abundant in Chilcotin-Cariboo and Peace River parklands; scattered throughout interior, Kootenay and Nechako Lowlands, Peace River, and south coast (GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM, TP). Freshwater wetlands and rivers in brushy upland habitats, sometimes far from water. Nests on ground very well concealed often by overhanging shrubs. Eggs: 9-25 June Young: 2 - 22 July	Concentrated on the Fraser River delta. Common along Vancouver Island and in open lakes and rivers in the southern interior (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM). Estuaries, mudflats, lagoons, shallow bays with seaweeds and eel-grass, agricultural fields, sloughs, marshes, lakes, slow moving rivers, golf courses and airports. Spring movement: March - late April Post-breeding males moult in the southern interior in mid-June. Fall movement: mid Oct. - Nov.
American Black Duck Anas rubripes B-ABDU (Yellow List)	Feral population near the vicinity of Reifel Island, Ladner and Pitt Meadows (GD).	A small autumn and winter dispersal from local resident populations (GD).
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos B-MALL (Yellow List)	Widespread, most abundant in the Chilcotin-Cariboo (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP, NBM). Wetlands in urban (golf courses, ditches, parks) and rural (agricultural fields, sloughs marshes, lakes, riparian woodlands) environments. Nests on ground concealed by vegetation. Eggs: 29 April - 27 May Young: 22 May - 28 June	Along the coast, major concentration on the Fraser River delta and throughout BC (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP). Loaf on estuaries, offshore in bays and inlets, lakes and rivers; forage on flooded fields, tidal marshes and estuaries. Spring movement: mid Feb. - May Fall movement: late Aug. - Dec.
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors B-BWTE (Yellow List)	South coast east through the southern and central interior and Peace River through Boreal Forest and west to Atlin. Concentrations in Chicotin-Cariboo, Okanagan, Nechako Lowlands and Peace River (GD, CM, SI, SIM, CI, SBI, BP, NBM). Forested and open habitats near small bodies of water. Nests on ground near water. Eggs: 2 - 20 June Young: 5 - 28 July	Migrate mainly through the interior. A few remain on the inner south coast and in the Okanagan Valley and Kootenays in mild winters (CM, GD, SI, SIM). Moulting flocks up to 600. Spring movement: mid-May Summer moult: mid July - mid-Aug. Fall movement: peaks late Aug. - early Sept.
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera B-CITE (Yellow List)	Confined to southern BC - Victoria north to Powell River and throughout the Fraser Lowlands; Kootenays and from southern Okanagan Valley north to Nimpo Lake in the Chilcotin-Cariboo - the centre of abundance (GD, CI, SI, SIM). Wetlands, wet meadows, ditches, sewage lagoons and slow-moving streams. Nests on ground surrounded by vegetation. Eggs: 15 May - 10 June Young: 13 June - 16 July	Rarely winters on south inner coast. Migrates along coast and through interior (GD, CI, CM, SI, SIM). Wetlands with emergent vegetation. In shallow bays and inlets close to cover. Flooded fields, ditches, sewage ponds, willow swamps. In lagoons, estuaries, and bays with eel-grass in marine habitats. Spring movement: late Apr. - mid May Moult - mid July Fall movement: Sept. - Nov.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata B-NOSL (Yellow List)	Most abundant in the Chilcotin-Cariboo and Peace Lowlands. Distributed on the inner south coast and from the southern interior north to Atlin and the Peace River (GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM, TP). Open and semi-open habitats in the vicinity of marshes, sloughs, ponds, bogs, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving streams. Eggs: 9 - 14 June Young: 1 - 24 July	Mainly the Fraser River delta and southeastern Vancouver Island. Scattered throughout the southern interior (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Sheltered bays, estuaries, shallow lakes, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields, and especially concentrated at sewage ponds and outfalls. Spring movement: late Apr. - early May Fall movement: Sept. - early Oct.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta B-NOPI (Yellow List)	Throughout the interior, east of the Coast Ranges and locally on the south coast and the Queen Charlotte Lowlands. Most abundant in the central-south interior, the Peace Lowlands, and the east Kootenay (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, NBI, BP, TP). Drier margins of lakes and wetlands, dry grasslands, shrubby fields, edges of mixed forests, damp meadows, and subalpine bogs. Nest on ground in sparse or low vegetation. Eggs: 19 May - 9 June Young: 16 June - 15 July	Widely distributed. Open waters of the southern interior, and the coast in mild winters. Main migration staging areas at Clayoquot Sound and the Fraser River delta (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP). Tidal marshes, shallow foreshore waters, estuaries, exposed eelgrass beds, mudflats, agricultural fields and lagoons on the coast; river banks, flooded fields, ponds, marshes, sloughs, and lakes in the interior. Spring movement: late Feb. - Apr. Fall movement: Sept. - Oct.
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca B-GWTE (Yellow List)	Southern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Lowlands and northern Queen Charlotte Lowlands on the coast. Widely distributed across the interior (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP, NBM). Grassy, brushy, lightly wooded upland areas near fresh water marshes in the interior; sloughs and ponds associated with estuaries on the coast. Nests on the ground in dense cover. Eggs: 20 May 27 June Young: 3 July - 22 July	South coastal BC, especially on the Fraser and Chemainus River estuaries; north coast estuaries; Okanagan Valley and west Kootenay estuaries (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI). Tidal mudflats on the coast, shallow marshes and flooded, weedy fields in the interior. Spring movement: mid to late Apr. Fall movement: late Sept. - mid Oct.
Canvasback Aythya valisineria B-CANV (Yellow List)	Central and southern interior to Prince George, Vanderhoof and Atlin and throughout the Peace Lowlands. Centre of abundance in Chilcotin-Cariboo (CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP). Fresh water and alkali lakes, wetlands bordered by dense emergent vegetation, especially bulrush. Nests on water in dense emergent vegetation. Eggs: 27 May - 4 June Young: 28 June - 20 July	The south coast and the southern interior north through the Okanagan valley and west to Kamloops. Occasionally in the Creston valley, along the Queen Charlotte Islands and the north coast (GD, CM, SI, SIM). Coastal marine and freshwater wetlands, most often on lakes in the interior. Spring movement: Mar. Fall movement: Sept. - Nov.
Redhead Aythya americana B-REDH (Yellow List)	Southeast Kootenays, Creston and the Okanagan valley, widely throughout the Cariboo-Chilcotin, and in the Peace Lowlands (CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP). On shallow freshwater lakes and wetlands with emergent vegetation. Nests over water in dense stands of emergent vegetation. Eggs: 3 - 22 June Young: 20 June - 19 July.	Mainly in the Okanagan, Creston and Columbia valleys. Also on south coast and rarely on Queen Charlotte Islands (CM, GD, SI, SIM). Mostly on large deep lakes as well as ponds, sloughs, rivers, flooded fields, lagoons and saltwater bays. Spring movement: mid-Feb. - mid May Moulting males - late June Fall movement: Early Sept. - Nov.
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris B-RNDU (Yellow List)	Widespread from the Okanagan and Creston north through the Chilcotin Cariboo to the Peace Lowlands and on the east coast of Vancouver Island and the Fraser Lowlands (GD, SI, CI, SBI, SIM, BP, NBM). Freshwater lakes, marshes, ponds and sloughs often in wooded situations. Nests on land or on water in grass clumps or emergent vegetation. Eggs: 21 May - 18 July Young: 9 July - 7 Aug.	Mainly along south eastern Vancouver Island. Small numbers (mostly males) in Okanagan and Nicola valleys (CM, GD, SI). Lakes, ponds and flooded fields primarily as well as saltwater lagoons, sewage ponds, bogs, and other wetlands. Spring movement: early March - early May Moulting males - mid June - late July Fall movement: late Aug. - mid Nov.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula B-TUDU (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Single birds occasionally sighted along southern Vancouver Island and from the Fraser River delta to Harrison Lake (GD, SI). Marine, brackish and freshwater wetlands. Spring movement: Mar. - June Fall movement: Oct. - Nov.
Greater Scaup Aythya marila B-GRSC (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Along the coast especially southern Vancouver Island and the Fraser River delta. Also the Okanagan valley east to the west Kootenays and north to the Thompson Basin, (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Marine and freshwater wetlands. Spring movement: Mar. - June Moulting: early July Fall movement: mid Oct. - Nov.
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis B-LESC (Yellow List)	Rare in the southern interior but increasing northward through the Rocky Mountain Trench and the Thompson-Okanagan Plateau to the Cariboo-Chilcotin and Peace River areas (CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP, NBM). Freshwater and alkaline lakes, marshes and fields. Most nests concealed in dense grass, agricultural crops, or emergent vegetation. Eggs: 21 June - 12 July Young: 18 July - 4 Aug.	Southern Vancouver Island, Fraser River delta, southern Okanagan valley and the west arm of Kootenay Lake (CM, GD, SI, SIM). Open waters of straits, rocky islets, beaches, bays and harbours, estuaries, lakes, and freshwater marshes. Spring movement: Mar. - early May Fall movement: Sept. - Nov.
King Eider Somateria spectabilis B-KIEI (Yellow List) Very rare vagrant along the coast	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Found in 6 areas along the coast: Chatham Sound, Masset, Skidegate Inlet, Port Hardy, Sooke and on the extreme south mainland coast (CM, GD). All records from protected waters of bays, inlets and harbours.
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata B-SUSC (Blue List)	Peace and Fort Nelson lowlands of northeastern BC (TP, BP). Freshwater lakes surrounded by spruce and muskeg or mature coniferous/deciduous stands. Eggs: 25 June - Young: 22 July - 20 Aug.	Along the coast especially, from White Rock north to the Sunshine Coast. In spring, birds fly from the coast east to the Chilcotin-Cariboo region, Mt. Robson and then northern Alberta (CM, GD, SI, CI). Relatively open but shallower (<6m) waters of straits and protected waters of bays, harbours, and lagoons. Huge flocks where Pacific herring are spawning. Spring movement: Apr. - May Fall movement: late Sept. - Nov.
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca B-WWSC (Yellow List)	Thompson-Okanagan Plateau, Fraser Plateau to the Peace Lowlands and west to Atlin (CI, SI, SIM, BP, TP, NBM). Freshwater lakes and ponds in open country and boreal forest. Eggs: 12 May - 17 July Young: 23 July - 13 Aug.	Two centres of distribution: Hecate Strait and the southern Strait of Georgia. Small numbers winter irregularly in the Thompson-Okanagan (CM, GD, CI). Bays, inlets, channels, estuaries, and occasionally large, slow-moving rivers. Prefers open, deeper waters, especially at shellfish beds. Spring movement: April - May Subadults and post-breeding males moult in July - Aug.; females moult late Aug. - Sept. Fall movement: late Sept. - early Nov.
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra B-BLSC (Yellow List)	Not known to regularly breed in BC.	Southern Vancouver Island to Queen Charlottes and Chatham Sound. Rarely seen in the interior (CM, GD, SI). Estuaries, bays, harbours, inlets, sounds and lagoons (where water depths are less than 11 m and near mussel beds), lakes, rivers and sewage ponds. Spring movement: Mar. - May Fall movement: early Sept. - Nov.
Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis B-OLDS (Blue List)	One record at White Pass, two records from Blackfly Lake in northwest corner of BC	Strait of Georgia, northern Queen Charlotte Islands, in Chilcotin-Cariboo, Peace Lowlands Okanagan and west Kootenays (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Deeper waters of bays, harbours, along spits, reefs, estuaries, mudflats, larger lakes and rivers. Spring movement: Mar. - May Fall movement: Oct. - Dec.
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola B-BUFF (Yellow List)	Across interior especially the Peace Lowlands and northern areas of the Boreal Forest (GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP, NBM). Primarily on lakes and occasionally on rivers, sloughs, and ponds in aspen parklands, interior Douglas-fir forests, open ponderosa pine forests, farmland, and rangeland. Nests in tree cavities near the edge of wetlands. Eggs: 29 May - 10 June Young: 24 June - 18 July	Mainly along coast especially southern Vancouver Island. Also Queen Charlotte Islands and from the Okanagan valley east to the west Kootenays and north to the South Thompson River (CM, GD, SI, SIM, CI). Protected bays, harbours, lagoons, estuaries, lakes, ponds, rivers and sewage lagoons. Flocks of usually < 10 but large concentrations where herring spawn. Spring movement: late Apr. - May Moulting females: July - Aug. Fall movement: late Oct. - Nov.
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula B-COGO (Yellow List)	Uncommon but widespread in the southern third of BC east of the Coast Ranges. Sparse through the Fraser Plateau, Fraser Basin, Peace and Fort Nelson lowlands, and northwestern BC (GD, SI, CI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM, TP). Lakes, rivers and associated flood plains, sloughs, ponds and creeks, usually with wooded margins. Nests in tree cavities Eggs: 11 Apr. - 2 July Young: 12 June - 13 July	Along the coast, principally around Vancouver Island, the northern Queen Charlotte Islands and adjacent mainland coast. Also in the south Okanagan, South Thompson River and Creston valleys, west Kootenays and Columbia valley (GD, CM, CI, SI, SIM). Estuaries, bays, harbours, lakes, rivers, beaches, marshes. Concentrated where herring spawn in spring. Spring movement: late Mar. - mid April Fall movement: late Oct. - early Dec.
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica B-BAGO (Yellow List)	Widespread in the southern interior east of the Coast Range. Most abundant in Chilcotin-Cariboo region (CM, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP, NBM). Lakes associated with aspen parkland, open ponderosa pine forests, farmland, rangeland and alpine meadows, as well as wetter, closed coniferous forests including sub-alpine regions. Alkaline lakes are preferred. Nests in cavities of trees near the edge of a wetland. Eggs: 20 May - 10 June Young: 21 June - 16 July	Mainly on south and north mainland coast; also along Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Islands and interior Okanagan, west Kootenay, and South Thompson River valleys (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Concentrate in areas where herring spawn. and with extensive mussel beds. Bays and fiords with rocky shores, near sources of freshwater and lakes, ponds, rivers and sewage lagoons. Spring movement: March - mid May Moulting females: late Aug. - Sept. Fall movement: late Oct. - Nov.
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus B-HOME (Yellow List)	From Northern Queen Charlotte Islands, Kitsault, Fort St. James and Prince George south through the rest of BC Centre of abundance in southwest (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM, SBI). Mostly fresh but occasionally brackish water sites, usually with wooded shorelines. Nests in tree cavities. Eggs: 4 - 25 May Young: 7 June - 6 July	Strait of Georgia and the south Okanagan valley (CM, GD, SI, SIM). Estuaries, protected bays and inlets, coastal lakes, marshes, sloughs, lakes, rivers, sewage lagoons and less often, marshes. Common on salmon-spawning streams. Spring movement: late Apr. Fall movement: early Oct. - early Nov.
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator B-RBME (Yellow List)	Teslin Plateau in extreme northwestern BC and Masset Inlet (CM, NBM). Shores of lakes and rivers in the interior and on marine islands on the coast. Nests on ground on sites heavily vegetated with shrubs or trees. Eggs: 25 June - 16 July Young: 13 July - Sept.	Strait of Georgia and the southern Okanagan valley (CM, GD, SI, SIM). More marine than the Common Merganser. Open and deeper waters in bays, estuaries and inlets; lakes and large rivers. Spring movement: Mar. - May Fall movement: mid Sept. - Nov.
Common Merganser Mergus merganser B-COME (Yellow List)	Throughout BC except in extremely mountainous areas. Less common and widely scattered in northern BC (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM, SBI, BP, NBM). Near freshwater along forested shores of lakes, streams, rivers, inlets, and beaver ponds. Nests in tree cavities and on ground in small caves or crevices. Eggs: 20 April - 10 May Young: 15 June - 20 July	Along the coast, northern and southern interior (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM). Near shore in estuaries, protected bays and inlets, on lower regions of clear rivers with loafing sites. Avoids muddy water and aquatic vegetation. Spring movement - mid Mar. - early May Fall movement: late Oct. - Nov.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis B-RUDU (Yellow List)	Nicola and Okanagan valleys to the east Kootenays, north through the Chilcotin-Cariboo to the Nechako Lowland region and in the Peace River area. Local breeder on Quamichan Lake, Vancouver Island (GD, CI, SI, SIM, BP, TP, SBI). Freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation such as bulrushes and cattail for nesting cover. Nests over water in emergent vegetation. Eggs: 16 June - 7 July Young: 12 July - 3 Aug.	Widely distributed from southeastern Vancouver Island across the southern third of the province and throughout the Fort Nelson and Peace Lowlands. Centre of distribution in Boundary Bay (CM, GD, SI, CI, SIM, BP). Fresh or salt water bodies at least 2 m deep. Protected bays and lakes with soft mud bottoms and small invertebrates. Spring movement: late Apr. - mid May Fall movement: late Sept. - Oct.
American Coot Fulica americana B-AMCO (Yellow List) Note: Coot survey methods are also found in manual No. 7, Inventory Methods for Marsh Birds.	Southeastern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Lowlands, east across southern BC, north through the Chilcotin-Cariboo and Fraser Basin regions to the Peace Lowlands, Fort Nelson Lowlands, and Liard Basin (GD, CI, SI, SIM, SBI, BP, TP). Freshwater, alkali and brackish wetlands with extensive stands of dense emergent vegetation along the margins. Nests on water in dense stands of emergent vegetation. Eggs: 29 May - 15 June Young: 20 June - 16 July	Along coast, most abundant in southeastern Vancouver Island and the Fraser Lowlands. In the interior from Williams Lake southward especially in the Okanagan valley south of Kelowna (CM, GD, SI, SIM, CI). Fresh, marine and brackish waters where aquatic vegetation provides cover and a food source. Spring movement: Early Apr. - May. Fall movement: mid Sept. - mid Oct.
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis B-SACR (Blue List)	Fraser Lowlands, islands along the central mainland coast, Queen Charlotte Islands and from the north Okanagan valley through the Chilcotin-Cariboo to Vanderhoof. Small numbers in Fort Nelson Lowlands (CM, GD, CI, SI, TP). Isolated bogs, marshes, swamps, and meadows. Nests on ground or on water, usually among thick shrubs or emergent vegetation such as hardhack, sweet gale, willows, Labrador tea, bulrushes or sedges. Eggs: 2 May - 25 June Young: 15 June - 15 July	Coastal, interior and northeastern interior migration routes. Stopover points include White Lake, Lac Le Jeune, Bechers Prairie west of Williams Lake and the Kispiox Valley in the interior; Nig Creek, Liard Hotsprings and Cecil Lake in the northeast. Small numbers winter on the Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancouver Island and the Fraser Lowlands (CM, GD, CI, SI, SIM). Flocks up to 5000. Shallow wetlands and margins of lakes, intertidal areas and dry uplands, such as grasslands and agricultural fields. Spring movement: Apr. Fall movement: Oct.

Note: ducks are sometimes referred to as being in one of the following general groups: Dabbling Ducks, Diving Ducks and Sea Ducks (see glossary for a list of species within these groups).