The good water conditions that were 
observed during the survey were the re¬ 
sult of good water conditions during the 
spring and the heavy rains received dur¬ 
ing June and early July. 
The number of water areas observed 
along each transect and the resulting 
water index (water areas per square mile) 
are presented in table B-38. 
Breeding population indexes 
Many pairs of ducks were observed 
during the survey, especially pairs of 
gadwalls, redheads and blue-winged 
teal. A better-than-average late hatch is 
possible. 
Production indexes 
The 1965 mid-July brood index (duck 
broods per square mile) was 0. 59. This 
represented a 37 percent increase over 
the 1964 brood index of 0.43, but a de¬ 
crease of 52 percent from the 1955-1964 
average brood index of 1.22. The 1961 
brood index was not included in the 1955- 
1964 average, since the 1961 data were 
not comparable. 
The number of duck broods observed 
along each transect in 1965 and the re¬ 
sulting brood index are presented in table 
B-39. 
The distribution of the duck broods by 
age class in 1965 is presented in table 
B-40 along with the 1964 distribution 
and the 1955 through 1964 averages. 
NEBRASKA 
Data supplied by John T. Sweet 
Nebraska Game, Forestation and 
Parks Commission 
Weather and habitat conditions 
Conditions were dry throughout the 
Nebraska Sandhills during the spring 
waterfowl migration period. The dry 
conditions persisted until after the 
breeding ground survey was made. The 
water index was down 49 percent from 
the 1964 May survey. The area began 
receiving good general rains about the 
third week of May. Water conditions in 
the western and west-central portions of 
the Sandhill breeding area were much 
improved from the end of May on, though 
general conditions were still only fair to 
good. Conditions in the eastern areas 
were only fair, at best. Good general 
rains did not continue to occur in many 
areas, so water supplies declined as the 
season progressed. Eastern areas were 
quite dry by mid-July. Many water areas 
in the west and central were not occupied 
due to lack of water during the spring 
migration period. 
The western half of the south-central 
portion was completely dry at the time 
of the breeding ground survey. Starting 
in late May and continuing through the 
summer, above normal rains have 
created excellent surface water. 
Weather conditions were dry and cool 
during the spring. Temperatures re¬ 
main relatively cool up until the time of 
the July surveys. Only a few very hot 
days had been experienced. Localized 
rains in the western Sandhills area 
helped to maintain some water levels. 
Breeding population indexes 
The 1965 aerial breeding ground 
transects were flown over the Sandhills 
during the period May 11 through May 17. 
The breeding waterfowl index for the 
Sandhills was 57 percent below the 1964 
figure and 52 percent below the previous 
5-year average. The calculated breed¬ 
ing population for the Sandhills was 52, 
895 ducks of all species. All species 
except mallards and gadwalls indicated 
decreases in their percent of the species 
composition. 
The breeding population in the south- 
central area was calculated at 8,140 
compared to 12, 530 in 1964. Statewide 
the breeding population index was down 
56 percent (table B-41). 
18 
