Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin

The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual Victorian game duck abundance survey on Monday, 5 October 2026.

The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual Victorian game duck abundance survey on Monday, 5 October 2026.

The survey will be conducted by wildlife biologists who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 860 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers. Most sites will be surveyed by helicopter. Ground counts will be used where the helicopter is unable to operate.

Satellite imaging will be used to determine how much water is in game duck habitats in Victoria, which, together with the survey data, will be used to estimate the total abundance of each game duck species in the state.

The abundance estimate is a key input to support Adaptive Harvest Management for setting sustainable duck hunting arrangements each year.

GMA Research Principal, Dr Jason Flesch, said regularly collecting data is critical to understanding what drives the abundance and productivity of game duck populations.

“Results from this survey will help to accurately estimate total game duck abundance, based on the environmental conditions at the time,” Dr Flesch said.

“This research is the most comprehensive survey of game ducks undertaken in Victoria. It benefits wildlife conservation by increasing our understanding of the ecology of Victoria’s game duck populations and the health of their habitats.”

The survey will also provide an important surveillance tool to assist in detecting the spread of avian influenza. Detections of any mass mortality of waterbirds or other birds will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

The 2026 survey is scheduled to take place from Monday, 5 October until Thursday, 22 October, inclusive. The flight schedule may change from day to day or be extended depending on weather conditions or other factors.

Residents in surveyed areas may see a helicopter flying at low levels for a short time and for no longer than is necessary. Disturbance to livestock will be minimised or avoided. The safety of people and livestock is a priority.

The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2027.

For more information, including a generalised map of the proposed flight path, visit: gma.vic.gov.au/research/duck-research

Media contact: Nick Foster M: 0417 293 365

2026 Aerial duck survey flight path