FLIGHT COUNTS AS AN INDEX OF WOOD DUCK ABUNDANCE ALONG PRAIRIE STREAMS IN

Spring wood duck (Aix spo"sa) abundance along prairie streams and rivers in South Dakota was estimated in 1992 using a night count method. The number of indicated wood duck pairs passing a stationary observation point during a set period of time was recorded and abundance expressed as pairs/hour. Wood duck pair abundance was significantly higher in eastern areas than in western areas of South Dakota. The use of night counts as an indicator of local wood duck abundance merits further exploration.