Southern Illinois' duck numbers declined this week according to the Nov. 18 aerial survey conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Last week's survey indicated about 90,000 ducks in the region. This week the number is down to 79,600, well below the five-year average of 94,000.

Rend Lake has the highest concentration of ducks in the region, 14,500, followed by Carlyle Lake 13,200 and Keck's Marsh 10,500. Further south, Union County Refuge has 9,000, Cache River 8,500, Horseshoe Lake 8,500, Pyramid State Park 7,700, Crab Orchard 6,500 and Mermet Lake 1,200.

The vast majority of ducks are mallards and gadwall. However, Rend, Horseshoe and Crab Orchard also have significant widgeon numbers. Ringnecks and miscellaneous dabblings make up most of the rest of the population.

Some teal were spotted at Rend Lake and Union County.

Canada goose numbers are still low with 3,075 counted this week. The five-year average is 4,828.

The largest concentration is found at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, 925, followed by Pyramid State Park 450, Horseshoe Lake 400, Rend Lake 350, Crab Orchard 350, Union County 250, Keck's Marsh 150, Ballard County, Ky. 100, Burning Star Mine 75, and Mermet Lake 25.

Snow goose numbers are also below the five-year average. Tuesday's survey indicated 9,500 snows in the region while the five-year average is 11,450.

Rend Lake Has 3,800 snows while Pyramid State Park has 3,000, Carlyle Lake 1,500 and Union County 1,200.

The census also spotted 4,600 white-fronted geese, 2,200 at Pyramid State Park, 1,900 at Union County, 300 at Rend Lake and 200 at Ballard County, Ky.

And, swans appeared on the census for the first time this year. Eighty swans were spotted at Burning Star Mine.

- Les Winkeler