cated a 26% decrease from 1978, but they remained 109 % 
above the 10-year mean. Coots were down substantially, 
64% and 67%, respectively. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The extremely long, cold winter was responsible for one 
of the latest ice breakups on record, Consequently, the 
spring season was about 3 weeks later than normal, re- 
sulting in very late nesting activities. Except for the Mea- 
dow Lake region, Stratum 22 rainfall was adequate in 
May and the first half of June. The remainder of June and 
all of July were dry in the North, and the northern por- 
tions of Strata 21 and 23 were subjected to numerous forest 
fires, 
In the four strata surveyed during the production sur- 
vey, the Meadow Lake portion of Stratum 22 continued to 
be dry and habitat conditions were only fair to poor. 
In Strata 23, 25, and the southern half of Stratum 24, 
habitat conditions were good. However, the northern half 
of Stratum 24 had high water levels, and nest destruction 
due to flooding appeared to have been a serious problem. 
As a result, the incidence of flocked mallard females was 
frequent. Groups of 5 to 15 mallard hens were observed on 
several occasions. 
Production (Table B-3) 
The duck brood index for the four northern strata, 
99-95, was 95,000. Stratum 21 was deleted because of sur- 
vey time limitations. When comparing like strata, these 
data indicate an 8% increase over 1978; however, a 30% 
decrease was indicated for 1979 from the 10-year mean. 
Except for Stratum 25, scaup and ring-necked duck 
broods were just becoming evident at the conclusion of the 
survey. Several Class I dabbler broods were also observed 
during the last few survey days. Of 193 identified broods 
in 1979, 117 (60%) were Class I, This compares with 47 % 
in 1978 and 28% in 1977. These data support inferences 
made concerning the tardiness of the nesting season. 
The Class II and III average brood size of 4.3 was the 
lowest recorded in the past 13 years, which is the time 
span for which comparative data are available. When 
comparing like strata, the brood size of 4.3 is 14% below 
1978 and 23% below the long-term mean. In two strata, 
the average brood size was less than 4.0 ducklings 
(Stratum 23, 3.6 and Stratum 24, 3.9). It appears that 
many of the Class II and HI dabbler broods observed were 
definitely victims of the cold, late spring. 
The coot brood index for the comparable strata was 
4.000, which is a 33% decrease from the previous year 
and —67% from the mean. 
The number of Canada goose broods was low. Only two 
broods were observed in Stratum 22 and one in Stratum 
23. 
Considering only comparable strata, the mallard late 
nesting index (LNI) was 61% above 1978 and 138% above 
the 10-year mean. For all remaining dabblers, the LNI de- 
~l 
creased 19% from 1978 and 29% from the mean. Collec- 
tively, divers were 68% above the previous year and 9% 
above the 10-year mean, The true value of the LNI is un- 
known. In these strata, the value of the LNI has to de- 
crease markedly and should be given only minor consid- 
eration. 
Southern Alberta 
Data supplied by K. Duane Norman and Carey S. Smith 
U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
In stratum 29, waterfowl habitat was extremely 
abundant from the U.S. border north to a line between 
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. North of this line the habi- 
tat became much drier. Temporary water areas had dried, 
but the more permanent wetlands had adequate water. 
The pond index in this stratum was 22% below 1978 but 
was still 18% above the mean. 
In stratum 28, the grasslands east and northeast of 
McGregor Lake were dry, It was also dry south and east of 
Tilley, but the Ducks Unlimited island complex and 
projects contained adequate water levels. The habitat east 
of Calgary was about normal. Crowfoot Creek again con- 
tained excellent habitat. The Empress-Oyen area was 
fairly dry. The data indicated a 15% decrease in ponds 
from 1978 and a 30% decrease from the mean. 
Northward to stratum 27, water conditions were good 
east of the Wintering Hills, but a high percentage of the 
available water was temporary. West of the Hills, the 
habitat became dry. South of Olds, the wetlands were 
slightly better than normal. Ponds in the Sandhills con- 
tained adequate water in 1979. The Bullpound drainage 
had good habitat and changed little from 1978. Type HI 
wetlands were abundant from Hanna to Youngstown. 
Sounding Creek east and west of the reservoir contained 
good nesting habitat, but that near the Saskatchewan 
border was much poorer than in 1978, The area between 
Grassy Island Lake, which was dry again in 1979, and 
Kirkpatrick Lake was much drier than in 1978, The Chain 
Lakes and Farrell Lake again had water, but the levels 
were low. The knob and kettle habitat north of Three 
Hills contained excellent water. There was definitely more 
habitat available there than there were ducks. The pond 
index showed a slight increase of 3% from 1978 but a 42% 
deficit from the mean. 
In stratum 26, wetlands for the most part have almost 
fully recovered from the drought between Rocky Moun- 
tain House and Stettler. The wetlands near Coronation 
were good, but water levels were low. Sounding Lake was 
drier in 1979 than it was in 1978. The area east of Buffalo 
Lake and the sandhills south of Wainwright had good 
habitat—the best in many years. The Viking Moraine 
usually contains good habitat; 1979 was no exception, and 
water levels were well into the woody vegetation. Much of 
