Central Flyway 
Data supplied by Harvey W. Miller 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Surveys of geese were conducted 11-15 December 
1978, except in Texas where fog and rain delayed comple- 
tion until 19 December. There were no reports of changes 
from the methods used or areas covered in 1977, Survey 
results in Colorado, and perhaps other areas, may have 
been affected by extensive snow cover and low tempera- 
tures that altered feeding patterns and possibly caused 
some geese to shift to other areas for the winter. 
Surveys of ducks, coots, swans, and eagles were sched- 
uled during 2-6 January 1979. Inclement weather de- 
layed completion of the survey until 12 January in Wyo- 
ming and 13 January in Texas. Below normal tempera- 
tures prevailed in all States before and during the surveys. 
Open-water areas were considerably restricted in all 
States; even the Texas coast had some ice. Prolonged, ex- 
tensive, and deep snow cover made waste grains unavail- 
able in much of Nebraska, Colorado, and States to the 
north, and could have affected the survey results by alter- 
ing feeding habits or causing ducks to shift to other areas. 
The 1978-79 estimates do not include about 15,000 water- 
fowl observed on areas not previously surveyed. 
Information on ducks, coots, swans, and eagles was 
compiled from summaries of surveys in each State. De- 
tailed records are available only in the respective States. 
Information on geese is from special surveys coordinated 
by the Central Flyway Waterfowl Technical Committee, 
which maintains the detailed records of those surveys. 
Survey participation by various agencies included 53 
Service and 167 State personnel. Twenty-seven aircraft 
flew 241 h over 28,481 km, and surface vehicles covered 
27,780 km. 
Total waterfowl estimates indicated an 11% increase 
over 1978. Dabbling ducks increased 35% from 1978 and 
15% over the 10-year mean. Mallards decreased 29% 
from the 1978 survey and the mean. Pintail (Anas acuta) 
counts were 215% above last year and 68% above the 
mean. 
Diver estimates were down 31% from those of last year 
and 38% below the 10-year mean. Redheads declined 
40% from 1978 and 47% from the mean, which was the 
largest numerical decrease in divers. Scaup (Aythya 
marila and A. affinis) showed a 45% decline from last 
year and a 63% decrease from the mean, Canvasback 
counts were up 35% from 1978 and 233% from the 
10-year mean. 
Counts were down for all three species of geese in this 
flyway compared with 1978, but all remained above the 
5-year mean. Total geese were 30% below last year and 
4% above the mean. 
Swan (Cygnus columbianus) numbers were relatively 
unchanged, and coots (Fulica americana) increased 35 % 
over 1978. 
Mississippi Flyway 
Data supplied by Kenneth E. Gamble 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The 1979 survey was scheduled for 2-6 January. Sur- 
veys in Region 3 and Region 6 States were conducted 
during the prescribed period, except for portions of Min- 
nesota, which were surveyed 20-21 January, and parts of 
Michigan, which were surveyed 9 January. Most of the 
area was covered with snow and ice during the survey 
period. 
In Region 4 temperatures were well below freezing, and 
many areas in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky were 
frozen. Due to mechanical problems, some survey units in 
Mississippi were not surveyed. The survey in Louisiana 
was conducted during 16-22 January. Major lakes and 
bays in southeast Louisiana and most areas north of Inter- 
state Highway 10 in western Louisiana were not surveyed. 
Large numbers of mallards in flooded timber in northeast 
Louisiana made counting difficult. Mallards, pintails, and 
Canada geese were observed feeding in dry soybean fields 
in northeast Louisiana. 
Participation by various agencies in the flyway totaled 
487 individuals. Forty-three aircraft, 317 automobiles, 
and 25 boats were used to cover 58,802 km. This is a de- 
crease of 19% fom the 1976 effort, but compares favora- 
bly with the surveys of other years. 
Increases in estimates of dabbling ducks compared with 
1978 were noted in all species except black ducks and 
northern shoveler (A. clypeata). However, when com- 
pared with the 10-year mean, all species decreased except 
mallard and pintail. Total dabblers increased 20% over 
1978 but fell 17% below the 10-year average. 
Total diving ducks increased from 1978 (+ 236%) and 
the 10-year mean (+ 19%). These increases were mainly 
the result of a scaup index that was 460% above 1978 and 
22% above the 10-year mean. 
Total ducks showed a 36% increase over the 1978 sur- 
vey but decreased 11% from the mean. Total geese de- 
creased 27% from last year, led mainly by a 35% decline 
in snow geese. Canada and white-fronted geese were also 
below the 1978 count, but both remained above the 
10-year mean. Coots declined 48% from 1978 and 56% 
from the mean. 
Atlantic Flyway 
Data supplied by Warren W. Blandin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Nearly half the survey flights were made in the week 
following the survey dates (2-6 January) because of un- 
favorable weather conditions or mechanical problems. 
The latest survey was flown on 19 January in New York, 
Generally mild weather in the weeks preceding the survey 
left more water open than in the 2 previous years, but 
