Sunny weather graced the Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Station, when it once again played host to the annual Student Seminars held July 10 - July 13, 2003. Students, professors and other guests descended on the Marsh for a weekend of great presentations and intense discussions on the future of waterfowl and waterfowl research.

Scientific Director Dr. Serge Larivière (front right) and Scientific Assistant Wanda Gorsuch pose with Delta staff and students at the annual student seminars held in the Delta Marsh. Click here for more photos of the event.

Thursday night, Seminars were kicked off by Jonathan Scarth, President of Delta Waterfowl, who gave students and guests a presentation on what Delta Waterfowl is all about. Following Jonathan’s presentation, a social mixer was held in historical Kirchoffer Lodge giving students from locations as diverse as California, Illinois, Alabama, and Alberta a chance to meet.

Friday and Saturday students presented their research to an impressed audience. Topics covered included scaup, pintails, mallards, wood ducks, waterfowl genetics, marsh restoration and the economics of waterfowl management techniques. There were also four keynote speakers, Dr. Serge Larivière, Scientific Director of Delta Waterfowl, Dr. Scott Petrie, Research Director of Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Station, Dr. Bob Clark, University of Saskatchewan, and Greg Riemer, Land Use Specialist from Saskatchewan.

Afternoons and evenings were filled with a variety of activities. Dr. Serge Larivière gave training seminars for graduate students while others took guided tours of the Delta Station or gathered on the beach for some swimming. One of the most popular events was a clay shoot. This gave the opportunity for both new and experienced shooters alike to try their hand at a couple of clay targets. A three-year tradition at Seminars, it is one activity all the students look forward to.

Delta strongly believes in rewarding students for their efforts to excel. In light of that goal, a formal awards ceremony was held on the last day to recognize outstanding performances by graduate students and research assistants. Ken Kriese from the University of California, Davis took home the award for Best PhD Presentation donated by the California Waterfowl Association. Not only that, but Ken also won first prize in the ‘Novice’ category at the clay shoot. Last year, these two honors went to Ryan Harrigan of Boston University suggesting a link between top presentations and shooting skills! Dan Coulton from the University of Saskatchewan received the Best MSc Presentation award, donated by Dr. Rick Kaminski of Mississippi State University. The other award winners are as listed:

Best MSc Presentation Runner Up: Patrick Lemons, University of Missouri, Columbia
Best Question from a Research Assistant: Brad Strobel

Peter Green Award 1st: Chad Newbolt, Auburn University
Peter Green Award 2nd: Jon Jonsson, Louisiana State University

Webster Writing Award for Research Assistants 1st: Brad Strobel
Webster Writing Award for Research Assistants 2nd: Julie Mackey

Delta Waterfowl would like to thank all the people whose support made 2003 Student Seminars possible:

California Waterfowl Association
Joe Carlson, MD
Ed Clarke
Tom Hutchens, MD
Bob Johnson
Dr. Rick Kaminski
Frank Liggett III
Minneapolis Dinner Committee (Kevin Riskevich)
George Nolte
George Secor
Don Douglas
Mark Mattox
Perham Chapter Committee (Bob Johnson)

Art for 2003 Delta T-shirts was donated by Jim Rataczak.

2002 Student Seminars