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TWRA and Tennessee Tech present multi‑year mallard telemetry findings; partners detail habitat investments
Summary
Researchers and conservation partners told the commission the agency’s multi‑year mallard telemetry project shows many ducks winter in Tennessee and that modest, distributed water and refuge areas (≈4–5% of the landscape) most reliably attract and retain mallards. Ducks Unlimited partners described matching funds that leveraged state dollars into habitat work in Canada and Tennessee.
Researchers and conservation partners presented a multi‑year study and related habitat work to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission during the committee day in Dyersburg.
Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennessee Tech summarized telemetry data collected on tagged mallards, saying the solar‑powered transmitters provide hourly GPS locations and ‘‘25% of our Ducks come back to the exact same spot.’’ Cohen said most tracked birds either remained in Tennessee for much of the winter or left the state by mid‑April, which implies managers need to retain water on managed fields at least through February and preferably March if the priority is waterfowl habitat.
Cohen said the study’s landscape analysis showed two principal factors that…
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