broods above the gorge between Grouse Creek and Vermilion Falls, 

 approximately 3-5 miles further upstream than where we saw the 

 broods last year. 



We noted an obvious decrease in brood size and total duck 

 numbers from 1988 and 1989. It is unclear if the decrease 

 reflects a downward population trend, a normal fluctuation within 

 the population, or is a function of survey methods. 



Swamp Creek - Cabinet District (KNF) 



On June 25 we watched 2 female harlequins loafing on a large 

 mid-stream boulder. As we approached they slipped into the water 

 and slowly swam downstream. We did not observe any behavior to 

 indicate that nests or broods were in the vicinity. We speculate 

 that the ducks were either non-breeding females or hens that 

 experienced nest loss. If nest failure did occur, a possible 

 factor could be the extremely high and powerful fall and spring 

 runoffs which caused some rechannelization, washouts and movement 

 of large gravel beds. 



Swamp Creek, averaging 30 ft wide (9 m) , is highly braided 

 with some steep boulder falls. Stream side vegetation, composed 

 of willow, alder, and dogwood, is dense with moderate overstory 

 Cottonwood cover. Loafing areas, debris jams and beaver ponds 

 are all present. 



Trout Creek - Superior District (LNF) 



On July 5, we located 1 female on Trout Creek; the only 



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