I live and hunt ducks in western NY. I have been hunting ducks in this area for 40 years. Global warming may be having an impact on the migration but I believe land use changes are having a bigger impact. 40 years ago this area was dairy farms and seasonal vegetables, little for ducks to eat. The dairy farms and vegetables have all but disappeared replace by grain, lots of grain. Bio-engineering has made it possible to grow crops like soybeans and better feed corn this far north. The local wetlands including federal and state refuges were small and scattered in the late 60's. We have always had open water year round due to our proximity to Lake Ontario and the Finger lakes. In recent years duck clubs, the federal refuge and state game lands have expanded in area and the quality of the habitat has improved substantially. I believe that land use in the northern areas has made it possible for the birds to meet there needs without migrating as far south. Man's use of the land and engineering of crops has made life easer for waterfowl. This is happening all across North America. I travel to North Dakota each year and farmers are growing corn and soybeans, unheard of just a few years ago. So large bodies of open water (some man made) grain crops, and improved habitat in the north is holding the birds more than global warming. The New York Times will publish anything that supports global warming. People in NY city have no idea that land use may play a greater role in migration changes than global warming, most never leave the city.
