Conditions slightly better than 2008

We completed our 5th day of flying today. We were grounded for 2 days because of high winds. It was gusting up to 50 mph in portions of the survey unit. In general, habitat conditions are fair south of Huron, SD. We even encountered some poor conditions in the extreme southeastern portion of the state. Conditions get better further west. Generally, I would rate overall conditions fair to good between Huron and Aberdeen. Overall, conditions in the areas surveyed thus far are improved since 2008. It has been a late, cool spring. It is supposed to warm up next week, which will trigger rapid vegetation growth. That will be highly beneficial to nesting waterfowl.