
6 
NWT, except in the lower (northern) Mackenzie Valley. 
In southern and eastern portions of the unit, 1979 was the 
latest spring in our survey experience. In the northern 
strata, however, much less ice was encountered this year 
than during the spring of 1978. The season in the north- 
ernmost areas in 1979 was considered normal to early. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-2) 
Total duck numbers in the NWT were 24 % above those 
recorded in 1978 and 30% above the 10-year mean. A 
small decline (—5%) in dabbling duck numbers in 1979 
was more than offset by increases in diving ducks 
(+26%), and a large increase (+79%) in the miscel- 
laneous group was made up largely of sea ducks. 
Among dabbling ducks, mallard numbers in 1979 in- 
creased 14% over 1978, and were 11% above the long- 
term mean. The numerically important wigeon decreased 
26% from 1978 levels and were 9% below the 10-year 
mean. Green-winged teal showed little change in numbers 
(—5%) from 1978 but remained above (+ 40%) the 
10-year mean. Scaup are the most numerous duck in the 
unit, and current numbers were 33% above 1978 and 
15% above the 10-year average. Bufflehead (Bucephala 
albeola) numbers changed little from 1978, whereas ring- 
necked ducks (Aythya collaris) declined. Redheads and 
canvasbacks occur infrequently in the survey unit, and our 
estimates of their populations have wide confidence limits. 
Large increases were recorded in sea duck numbers, pri- 
marily as a result of a great increase in oldsquaw (248 % 
above 1978 and 182% above the 10-year mean). Scoters 
increased 17% above 1978 and were 50% above the 
10-year mean. Mergansers (Mergus serrator and M. 
merganser americanus) decreased from 1978 but were 
double the mean levels. 
Coot numbers were very low in the survey area in 1979. 
Geese are recorded when encountered, but our surveys are 
not designed to measure the breeding populations of these 
birds. 
Northern Saskatchewan. Northern Manitoba, 
and the Saskatchewan River Delta 
Data supplied by Arthur R. Brazda, James R. 
Goldsberry, William E, Larned, and Al Novara 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Habitat conditions can be summed up as good to excel- 
lent in all areas except the southwest portion of the survey 
area. In the southwest, both stations closely associated 
with this unit, Cold Lake and Meadow Lake, reported be- 
low normal or near normal precipitation levels for the 
period 1 August 1978-31 May 1979 (Cold Lake — 39% 
and Meadow Lake —0.4%). It should also be noted that 
precipitation at both of these stations was below normal 
for the period 1 November 1978-31 May 1979. 
Spring was at least 2 weeks later than normal in all 
strata. Actually, it appeared to be considerably later than 
indicated because of the persistent heavy ice conditions on 
the larger or deeper lakes, even in the more southern 
strata. However, when conditions progressed enough for 
initiation of the survey, breeding activity was well along, 
and only the scaup appeared to be abnormally bunched 
up. Ice still remained on most of the larger lakes to the 
north, and vegetative development of the dwarf birch, 
willow, and aspen was almost nil until the last week of the 
survey. In northern Manitoba, winter conditions re- 
mained until late May. However, the chronology of mat- 
ing activities was close to normal; in fact, Canada geese 
appeared to be ahead of the previous year, though no 
broods were observed. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-3) 
It appears that the more lucrative habitat conditions in 
the prairies in 1979 short-stopped some of the waterfowl 
possibly destined for the breeding areas farther north, al- 
though there was inconsistency in the pattern by species. 
For example, mallards decreased markedly from 1978 in 
Strata 22, 23, and 25, dropped only 6% in Stratum 21, 
and were up 15% in Stratum 24. Wigeon increased 
slightly in Strata 21 and 22 and indicated decreases in the 
remaining three strata. On the other hand, both species of 
teal dropped in all strata. Overall, dabbling ducks de- 
creased 25% from the previous year but remained 8% 
above the 10-year mean. Divers increased 15% and 12%, 
respectively. However, of the major diving duck species, 
only the lesser scaup indicated an increase. There was rea- 
son to believe that this increase was in error and was 
directly the result of the slow disappearance of the ice con- 
ditions farther north. The miscellaneous duck category de- 
creased 41% from 1978 and was 2% below the 10-year 
mean. Canada geese were 26% below the previous year, 
and 109% higher than the long-term mean. 
In the dabblers, mallards were 13% below 1978 and 
12% above the 10-year mean; pintails, —59% and 
—53%, respectively; green-winged teal, —27% and 
+77%: blue-winged teal (Anas discors), —48% and 
—33%+ American wigeon, — 24% and — 13%; gadwall 
(Anas strepera), —29% and -—45%; and_ shovelers, 
— 44% and —48%. 
Important diving ducks fared as follows: redheads were 
down 43% from the previous year and were down 61% 
from the 10-year mean; canvasbacks, — 39% and —52%, 
respectively; scaup, +52% and +47%; ringnecked 
ducks, —35% and -—34%; goldeneyes (Bucephala 
clangula americana), —28% and —43%; and buffle- 
heads, —2% and +26%., 
In the miscellaneous ducks, ruddy ducks (Oxyura 
jamaicensis rubida) decreased 50% from last year and 
were down 46% from the mean; mergansers, — 46% and 
—3%, respectively; and scoters, —5% and + 14%. 
Canada geese were again observed in all strata and indi- 
