This is bird note.

While nearly a third of North American bird species are in decline, many birds that depend

on wetlands are thriving.

The main determinant of duck breeding success is the condition of wetlands and upland habitat

on the prairies and in the boreal forest.

Through the extended droughts of the 1980s, conditions on the breeding grounds improved

when the rains returned.

And waterfowl hunters, through organizations like Ducks Unlimited, have provided hundreds

of millions of dollars to conserve and restore wetlands.

It's not just Ducks that benefit.

Nearly one quarter of U.S. birds, such as this Virginia rail, rely on freshwater wetlands.

Yes, challenges remain.

Breeding habitat in the prairie pothole region is under increasing pressure for conversion

to agriculture.

But wetland birds respond to our efforts.

For example, in spring, in wetland-rich areas protected by conservation programs in the

Dakotas, you can find more than 100 breeding pairs of ducks on a single square mile of prairie.

Learn more at birdnote.org.

Support for birdnote is provided by Wendy and David Close from Clinton, Washington and

generous listeners around the world.