Yet, as noted, this year's duck numbers have been high. For now, at least, there seem to be marshes enough to support thriving populations of ducks. This comes from aerial counts, not from census takers slithering through the grass and reeds with clipboards in their hands -- and counting ducks on a pond by flying overhead is a bit like scattering rice on a tabletop and trying to estimate the number of grains you see. It's not an exact science. But biologists have learned that they see about half of what's really there.

The USFWS preliminary report, issued last summer by Khristi Wilkins and Mark Otto, showed total duck populations of 36.2 million birds -- a 14 percent increase over 2005 numbers. At 55 percent, the most significant jump was in redheads. Others on the rise were mallards, blue- and green-winged teal, gadwalls, canvasbacks, northern shovelers and pintails. Those on the decline were American widgeon and scaup, the latter posting a record low for the second consecutive year.

"There's plenty of good news," Delta Waterfowl president Rob Olson said of the survey conducted jointly by U.S. and Canadian wildlife services. "Obviously, we have to be thrilled about the improved habitat conditions and the higher total population. Mother Nature has set the table for ducks. With the exception of 1996 and 1997, prairie Canada is the wettest it's been since the '70s, and this is the second year Canada has been wet. If you put enough water on the landscape, ducks should respond."

The rosy outlook comes despite last year's warm winter. The report credits outstanding breeding habitat to the above-average precipitation that fell last winter and spring.

Another highlight of the report involved the 2006 pond count. It was the eighth-highest in the 46 years biologists have been tracking these bodies of water.

David Hayden of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries knows better than to rely solely on his federal brethren's tally. While it's nice to know that most ducks are thriving in their spring and summertime environs, a lot must happen for Alabamians to hear and see their share of waterfowl.

"The potential for a real good season is there," remarked Hayden, assistant chief of the wildlife section. "But it'll all depend on the weather. Alabama's really not a prime waterfowl habitat state compared to Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. Success here is spotty. It often boils down to water management -- who controls the water. Those who have enough of it will see the ducks."

Another factor, he added, is hunting pressure. "My opinion and $2 will get you a cup of coffee," he said with a laugh, "but to hunt ducks almost anywhere in the South, you have to be a better and more consistent hunter. Most everything we see has been shot at long before it arrives here. The ducks in Alabama have seen just about everything: every kind of blind and duck boat, spinning-wing decoys and wobbling (duck) butts."

A current study indicates that ducks are quickly and easily conditioned to avoid gunshots. They tend to shun areas in which they've been hunted, sometimes for as long as four weeks before returning.