proved over last year: however, the rapid drying of the 
ponds took its toll of young ducklings. Also, total duck 
populations in May of 1978 were down 16% from 1977 
and 26% from the average. The average brood size in 
1978 was down 11% from 1977 and down 6% from 
average. 
The late-nesting index was down 20% from 1977 and 
16% from the 10-year average. All the numerically im- 
portant species were down from 1977 except wigeon and 
green-winged teal, which had significant increases. 
Scaup and gadwall increased over the 10-year average, 
but all other important species declined. 
The late-nesting index this year was probably a good 
reflection of the declining water conditions. 
Southern Manitoba 
Data supplied by Douglas S. Benning and William W. Larned 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Upon returning to southern Manitoba in spring 1978, 
conditions appeared much improved over those in 1977. 
Above-normal precipitation occurring during Septem- 
ber-April had replenished the permanent and semi- 
permanent basin to the point that quantity-wise May 
ponds showed an increase of 108% over 1977 and an in- 
crease of 41% over the 1968-77 average. The quality of 
these water areas was substantially reduced as a result of 
the previous year’s extensive de-brushing activities by 
farmers. Both upland and overwater nesting cover were 
in relatively poor condition because dry conditions in the 
early part of the growing season made it possible for the 
farmers to burn, clear, or otherwise remove vegetation 
from the perimeters of low wetland basins. The removed 
cover did not have time to recover by the time of the 
survey. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-6) 
The ducks came back to southern Manitoba in rela- 
tively good numbers compared with 1977 and notable in- 
creases were observed for most species. The 10-year trend 
in adjusted waterfowl breeding population estimates for 
this unit are presented in Table B-6. 
Comparing the 1978 population estimates with those of 
1977, total ducks increased 43%, whereas dabblers in- 
creased 47% and divers increased 33%. Of the dabblers, 
increases were noted for wigeon (+260%), pintail 
(+248%), gadwall (+207%), green-winged teal 
(+ 160%), shoveler (+67%), and mallard (+14%). A 
5% decrease was noted for blue-winged teal. Among the 
divers, increases were noted for goldeneye (+ 878%), 
ring-necked ducks (+ 202%), bufflehead (+87%), and 
scaup (+ 78%). Decreases for redhead and canvasback 
were 67 and 31%, respectively. Among other species, in- 
creases were found for ruddy duck (+48%), scoters 
(+28%), and mergansers (+9%). Coots, responding to 
improved habitat conditions, increased 57 %. 
In comparing 1978 population estimates with the 
1968-77 averages, total ducks decreased 10%; dabblers 
decreased 21% and divers increased 35 %. Increases were 
seen among ring-necked duck (+202%), goldeneye 
(+188%), gadwall (+185%), bufflehead (+ 119%), 
scaup (+95%), black duck (+67%), mergansers 
(+52%), wigeon (+39%), scoters (+12%), and ruddy 
duck (+2%). Decreases were seen among redhead 
(-64%), pintail (-47%), blue-winged teal (-46%), 
canvasback (-38%), shoveler (-29%), mallard (-15%), 
and green-winged teal (-13%). Coots decreased 3% from 
average. 
Lone Drake Index 
The lone drake index for the mallard, pintail, and 
canvasback was 85.7, which is among the five highest in- 
dices since 1956. This was a good indication of an early 
nesting effort by these species. Ground observations 
within the unit supported this finding. The mallard lone 
drake index was among the highest five during the past 23 
years, and the pintail index was the highest on record. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Weather patterns in southern Manitoba were normal 
for the summer. Light rain showers and thunderstorm ac- 
tivity occurred sporadically. Some areas received above- 
normal amounts of precipitation during the period, 
whereas other areas received below-normal amounts. 
Temperatures were generally below normal through the 
latter portion of the period. The July pond index was 6% 
below 1977 and 6% below the previous 10-year average. 
Stratum 39 was the driest and had a 30% decrease from 
average. Strata 36 and 40 were also below average while 
strata 37 and 38 were above average. Comparing the July 
and May pond indices, there was an overall decrease of 
66% with the greatest losses occurring in strata 36 and 
40. A normal loss is generally considered to be near 50%. 
Habitat conditions in southern Manitoba appeared to 
be good. Although pond numbers dropped more than 
normal between May and July, the remaining wetlands 
had good cover and dense emergent growth. Water levels 
were low in most ponds, but not so low that very many 
barren mud flats were exposed at the time of the survey. 
As nearly all the broods observed on the survey were 
found on Type IV and V wetlands with good cover, brood 
survival during the remainder of the season should have 
been high. 
Production (Table B-6) 
The total brood index for southern Manitoba was 74 % 
above 1977 and 92% above the previous 10-year average. 
The 1978 duck brood index in stratum 40 was exceeded 


only in 1957 and 1958. The distribution of observed 
broods by age classification was as follows: class I, 108 
(41%); class II, 117 (44%); and class III, 39 (15%). 
Ground observations made by a Service waterfowl re- 
search crew working in the Minnedosa, Manitoba, area 
indicated that the surveys began before broods in that 
area had developed to flight stage. By the time the survey 
was completed, most species of ducks in the Minnedosa 
region were represented by broods that had already 
fledged. The average brood size of those intact class II 
and III broods observed from the air was 4.9 ducklings 
per brood, 12% smaller than 1977’s average brood size 
and 8 % smaller than the 1968-77 average. 
The coot brood index was 97% above 1977 and 9% 
above the previous 10-year average. 
This year’s late-nesting index was as large as the brood 
count itself. This index was 83% above 1977 and 46% 
above the previous 10-year average. Dabblers were up 
60% from 1977 and 58% from average. Divers were up 
817% from 1977 and 57% from average. 
Montana 
Data supplied by James F. Voelzer and John Tautin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Widespread winter snows, followed by above normal 
spring rains, combined to produce a breeding season 
characterized by verdant nesting habitat and full water 
basins. It appeared that all criteria necessary for a suc- 
cessful nesting season were present, except residual 
nesting cover. Heavy rains and snow in the higher ele- 
vations covered the lower two-thirds of the survey area 
from 15 to 18 May 1978. Hardest hit was the area south- 
east of Billings where floods on the Bighorn, Little Big- 
horn, Tongue, and Powder rivers caused evacuation of 
some towns and outlying areas. The May pond index was 
up 10% from 1977 but still down 14% from the average. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-7) 
Of paramount importance in 1978 was the failure of 
mallards to recover from the low numbers recorded in 
1977 as a result of extremely poor nesting conditions. This 
also pertained, to a lesser degree, to the blue-winged teal. 
Given much improved habitat conditions in 1978 in Mon- 
tana, both species should have been present in far greater 
numbers. The mallard index was still down 15% from 
that of 1977 and 26% from the average, whereas blue- 
winged teal remained unchanged from 1977 but still 34 % 
below average. Shovelers, pintail, redhead, and scaup in- 
dices were up with rather dramatic increases compared 
with 1977. Total ducks were up 72% above 1977 and 
19% above average. Coots provided an insight to the 
much improved habitat conditions with respective in- 
creases of 408% and 188% over 1977 and the 1968-77 
average. 
The lone drake index of 75.9 (mallards), 69.8 (pintails), 
and 73.2 (total) would suggest that survey timing was on 
the late side of optimum. This finding is supported by the 
fact that class I brood sightings were becoming rather 
common by the last day of the survey. However, it should 
be noted that groups of five or more drakes (same species) 
were not encountered until 23 May 1978, which was the 
last day of transect flying. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
During the May waterfowl survey, it was believed that 
habitat conditions were still recovering from the previous 
drought. Residual nesting cover was at a minimum but 
new growth, due to abundant rainfall, was progressing 
rapidly. Since May, rainfall continued over most of the 
survey area resulting in abundant growth of upland cover 
as well as emergent vegetation in breeding ponds. Both 
were conducive to good brood survival. Survey results 
indicated a 69% increase in July ponds from 1977, a 25 % 
increase over the long-term average, and a 6% increase 
since May 1978. 
Production (Table B-7) 
The 1978 brood index was 201% above 1977, 58% 
above the long-term average, and the largest since sur- 
veys were initiated in 1966. The average brood size also 
increased by 11 % from 1977. 
Survey timing appeared to be optimum as indicated by 
the age class breakdown. 
The late-nesting index was 154% above 1977 but 29% 
below the average. The decline from average appears to 
be the direct result of a successful first nesting attempt. 
North and South Dakota 
Data supplied by Edgar L. Ferguson and Michael Phillips 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
In North Dakota, above-average precipitation oc- 
curred principally in the fall; however, winter snows and 
spring rains did not materialize to the extent necessary to 
break the drought. Total ponds improved in relation to 
1977 but still showed a decrease in the long-term average. 
Habitat conditions in North Dakota were improved over 
1977 but in some areas drought-like conditions prevailed. 
In South Dakota, a similar pattern of above-average rain- 
fall occurred in the fall and winter months in 1977. Excel- 
lent rainfall in April resulted in the pond counts in South 
Dakota showing increases in every stratum between 1977 
and 1978. 
