Lots of whistling ducks

Is it just me, or are there a lot more black-bellied whistling ducks around Central Texas this year? I used to come across them occasionally, this year they seem to be everywhere.

It's a shame they will mostly be gone by the time duck season starts (since they're early migrators), I'd like to add whistling ducks to my life list of birds shot.

Been seeing a bunch in the Rockport area. Seems like many more than usual.

I've seen more than normal in North Texas this year too.

We have a pair that hang out in the back yard.....been seeing several this year also....

same here, quite a few in Terrell, TX

same here, quite a few in Terrell, TX

Same numbers in Van Zandt - always around big lakes. Problem is you typically see them maybe 1-2x early season and they don't decoy worth a darn.

Seen quit a few down in the Lower Laguna Madre this past weekend while fishing.

Seeing more and more all over nw Houston now

Boy they decoy great for us down here on the coast. Seem really dumb and we love it when they fly through cause we are almost guaranteed a shot.

Believe or not here in Beaumont Tx we have several black bellied whistlers.
I see them landing in grass plots in the middle of west side

I've never seen a large flock of whistling ducks, they always seem to travel in pairs or at most groups of 3-4. That's probably the reason they won't decoy, since it seems like they have no interest in the "safety in numbers" of our puddle and diving ducks.

Man...I've seen em this year and last year both. We have a group of about 20 that decoyed right in during early teal season last year. Was really fun to seem them like that.

I've been seeing more than normal down here around San Antonio too.

they're easy under a deer feeder w/.22's

There is a group of 30 or so down from my brothers house living on the bank of a canal, they always come back there every year. in La Porte TX

They are the the only ducks that I ever see at our feeders. We have a pair that has made themselves at home at our place this year, you can count on them at the pond or feeder whenever you go by.