were lower than 1978 on Baja; San Quintin had the 
greatest decrease, Overall, brant numbers decreased 16% 
from 1978. A decrease is indicated for the mainland 
(— 12%) and for Baja (— 18%) since 1978. 
Breeding Ground Survey 
Aerial surveys of waterfowl breeding populations and 
production were developed in the late 1940's by the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor the status of habitat 
and waterfowl, primarily ducks, over a large portion of 
their breeding grounds in North America. Annual 
information in this regard is essential for effective manage- 
ment of this resource. Waterfowl population and habitat 
changes are currently surveyed over about 3.4 million kn? 
of breeding habitat within portions of Alaska, British 
Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, 
the Northwest Territories, the Dakotas, and Montana. 
In addition to the Service’s annual breeding ground sur- 
vey, a number of States conduct a similar survey. State 
reports that have been submitted to the Service are incor- 
porated herein. 
Beginning in 1973, the Waterfowl Status Report. re- 
flected only the current year’s data for Service-conducted 
surveys. Breeding population survey tables also have been 
changed to reflect adjustment for visibility bias. All re- 
ports before 1973 reflect unadjusted figures. The historical 
production survey data (1955-71) are available in Special 
Scientific Report— Wildlife 160 (1972). Data for the 
1972-78 production surveys are presented in the respective 
years’ status reports. Procedures followed in conducting 
the breeding ground surveys are established in the 
service's standard operating procedures for aerial water- 
fowl breeding ground population and habitat surveys 
(1977). 
Alaska and the Yukon Territory 
Data supplied by James G. King and Bruce Conant 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
As in 1978, all of Alaska from Ketchikan to Barrow, and 
Old Crow Flats enjoyed an early spring. This reduces 
stress on early migrants, and large clutch sizes can be ex- 
pected. No lingering ice was encountered except on the 
seward Peninsula and on Old Crow Flats. Emergent 
“rasses were as much as 30 cm high, even on the Yukon 
Delta, which may have provided unusual cover for dab- 
bling ducks and accounted for part of the indicated de- 
crease. Heavy snow brought water levels up in closed 
basin ponds, and several rivers (the Innoko, Dalbi, and 
Atchucelinguk) were still over their banks at survey time. 
Chris Dau reported from Clarence Rhode Refuge that a 
10 June storm surge tide inundated perhaps 25% of brant 
nests there. Otherwise, weather and habitat conditions 
ON 
over the entire area appeared optimum. Dirk Derksen re- 
ported early conditions on the North Slope and an ap- 
parent increase in black brant nests over the past several 
vears. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-1) 
A return to normal breeding population averages for 
dabbling ducks in the north is not unexpected, as habitat 
conditions in the Prairie strata return to normal after 
drought periods. This vear’s figures could be slightly 
biased to the low side due to the early development of 
emergent grasses in pond margins. 
Survey results for dabblers indicate a decrease from 
1978 for all species. Notable among them are mallards 
(-13%), American wigeon (— 15%), green-winged teal 
(—8%), northern shoveler (— 50%), and pintail (-— 26%). 
Total dabblers were down 22% from 1978. 
All diving ducks showed an increase over 1978 except 
scaup and oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis), possibly reflect- 
ing good production last year. The decrease in scaup 
(—9%), however, was substantial enough to cause a 2% 
decrease in total divers. Miscellaneous ducks decreased 
16% compared with 1978, and total ducks also decreased 
16% from last year. 
Compared with the 10-year mean, dabblers increased 
1%, divers showed no change, miscellaneous ducks in- 
creased 14%, and total ducks increased 3%. 
Favorable nesting conditions were reported for geese on 
the Yukon Delta. Most nesting efforts were comparable to 
last year’s, except for white-fronted geese, which seem to 
be disappearing from previously occupied habitats. Con- 
cern for the Pacific Flyway white-fronted geese is growing 
throughout their range, as indications of a population de- 
cline mount. Tidal flooding caused some damage to 
coastal nests of black brant, emperor geese (Anser cana- 
vica), and white-fronted geese for the second year in a 
row. Black brant were down 16% in the 1978-79 winter 
inventory following a nesting season that seems to be iden- 
tical to the 1979 effort, including tidal flooding. 
Northern Alberta, Northeastern British 
Columbia, and the Northwest Territories 
Data supplied by Morton M. Smith, K. Duane 
Norman, and Carey S. Smith 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
and 
Vernon D. Stotts, Marvland Wildlife Administration 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The winter of 1978-79 was very cold throughout the 
survey area of northern Alberta, northeastern British 
Columbia, and the Northwest Territories (all hereafter 
termed the NWT). The low temperatures and less than 
average snow cover in some areas resulted in a heavy ice 
cover on lakes and rivers. Spring was cold and late in the 
