The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) completed its 2015 waterfowl breeding population survey. 

The CDFW survey, which uses methodology approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), indicates the total number of breeding ducks – all species combined – has declined. 

Breeding mallards, the most numerous duck species in the state, declined 27 percent from 2014.

The total number of breeding ducks is estimated at 315,580, compared to 448,750 last year. The estimated breeding population of mallards is 173,865, a decrease from 238,670 in 2014. 

CDFW attributes the decline to very low precipitation and poor habitat conditions. 

Similar declines in breeding duck population estimates have occurred in the past but recovered after habitat conditions improved.

“Habitat conditions were poor the last three years in both northeastern California and the Central Valley and the production of young ducks was reduced as a result, so a lower breeding population was expected in 2015,” said CDFW’s Waterfowl Program Environmental Scientist Melanie Weaver. “We would expect another low year of duck production from these two important areas in California in 2015. However, habitat conditions in northern breeding areas (Alaska and Canada) are reported to be better than average.”

CDFW has conducted this survey using fixed-wing aircraft since 1948. 

The population estimates are for the surveyed areas only, which include the majority of the suitable duck nesting habitat in the state. 

These areas include wetland and agricultural areas in northeastern California, the Central Valley from Red Bluff to Bakersfield, and the Suisun Marsh. 

The Breeding Population Survey Report is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/waterfowl/ .

The majority of California’s wintering duck population originates from breeding areas surveyed by the USFWS in Alaska and Canada, and these results should be available in July. 

CDFW survey information, along with similar data from other Pacific Flyway states, is used by the USFWS and the Pacific Flyway Council when setting hunting regulations for the Pacific Flyway states, including California.

The federal regulation frameworks specify the outside dates, maximum season lengths and maximum bag limits. 

Once CDFW receives the USFWS estimates and the frameworks for waterfowl hunting regulations from the USFWS, CDFW will make a recommendation to the Fish and Game Commission regarding this year’s waterfowl hunting regulations.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A battle of titans returns to Fiesta of the Horse on June 28, as mighty knights clash arms in a colorful medieval jousting tournament.

 Brian Claiche grew up fascinated by ancient history and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

When he married his “Queen of the Castle,” Denise, she introduced him to horses, the “final ingredient” to bring his dreams of medieval glory to life. 

They built a jousting list in their backyard near Kelseyville and there they practice jousting, swordsmanship and archery from horseback. 

With Scott Donohoe joining the team as jousting partner and Denise Claiche making the beautiful and dramatic horse costumes, the show was ready to go on the road.

 The Claiche Family jousters will be first in the program at this year's Fiesta, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Come early to get a good seat.

 Other acts in the show include exotic breed demos, classical dressage set to music, the fabulous Hooves and Wheels Quadrille Team and cowboy mounted shooting.

 Audience parking begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Fiesta of the Horse starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by food, drink, live musical entertainment and dancing. 

Admission is free.

Rancho de la Fuente is located at 2290 Soda Bay Road, south of Lakeport.

For more information, contact Deb Baumann at 707-275-9234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), chairman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced this week that a hearing on the impacts of the drought and marijuana grows on fisheries will be held Wednesday, July 1 at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

“In our fourth year of this historic drought, we have to find ways to protect our fisheries from the impacts of the driest years on record, and the devastating impacts of rogue marijuana grows. The combination of the drought and rogue grows have resulted in unprecedented fish kills, have put endangered species on the brink in many California watersheds, and are hammering away at our coastal and port economy, which contribute billions of dollars annually to our state,” McGuire said. 

The Fisheries Hearing will focus specifically on the historic drought, marijuana and fisheries needs. The gathering will bring together an unprecedented number of fishery experts, state agency leaders, commercial and recreational fishing representatives, and river advocates.

John Laird, California’s Natural Resources secretary, and Charlton Bonham, director of the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, headline this year’s list of speakers and presenters.

Experts from Fishermen’s Associations will discuss the drought’s impact on fisheries and environmental experts and representatives from the cannabis industry will discuss the impacts of illegal marijuana grows on fisheries.

The hearing begins at 10 a.m. and will be held in Room 2040 of the Capitol. The public is welcome to attend.

Sitting on the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture with Chair McGuire are: Vice Chair Assemblymember Jim Wood, Senator Jerry Hill, Senator Jim Nielsen, Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, Assemblymember Philip Ting, and Assemblymember Das Williams.

Later this fall, the Committee will also host the 42nd annual Fisheries Forum and reception.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, July 2.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Lower Lake Methodist Church Community Meeting Room, 16255 Second St. A map link can be found at http://goo.gl/maps/A8oiW .

The Democrats will be running an informational/voter registration booth on July 4 at Austin Park in the city of Clearlake. 

The July 4 festivities include a parade down Lakeshore Blvd from Redbud Park to Austin Park, beginning at 11 a.m., plus a car show, an evening carnival, worm races, food and beer sales to benefit the Lakeshore Lions and Lionesses and Fireworks at Austin Park on that evening to close out the day.

The agenda for the Thursday, July 2, meeting includes reports from representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and state Sen. Mike McGuire, as well as reports from the representatives from the Stonewall Democratic Club Chair and the Lake County Democratic Club.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyDemocrats .

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Carol Biggs of Lakeport has won the beautiful “Yellow Submarine” quilt from Marva Brandt of Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club (CLTTGC).

The drawing was held at the end of CLTTGC’s recent “Hidden Gardens of Lake County” tour.  

The tickets were tossed and stirred before Biggs' ticket was drawn from a huge bowl.

The club again thanks Richard Nodine for his generosity in donating the quilt made by his late wife, Julie. 

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. –  The Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center, located at 15500 Central Park Road, in Middletown, will be closed on July 3 and July 4 to allow it team to celebrate the holiday with their families.

They will resume regular business operations on Wednesday, July 8.

The visitors center is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information about The Geysers and tours, visit www.geysers.com or call 707-987-4270.