tively, as compared with 1977 levels. Significant de- 
creases from 1977 were noted for green-winged teal 
(-86%), pintail (-60%), seaup (Aythya marila and A. af- 
finis; -48% ), ring-necked ducks (-40 %), wigeon (-25%), 
gadwall (Anas strepera; -21%), and shoveler (-21 %). In- 
creases were noted in canvasbacks (+ 115%), mottled 
ducks (+ 72%), and ruddy ducks ( + 35%). Redheads in- 
creased slightly from 1977 while geese increased 278 % . 
Interior and Lower West Coast 
Waterfowl habitat changes were characterized by drier 
than normal conditions in the northern highlands, near 
normal in the central highlands, and drier than normal 
along the lower west coast. No significant changes in land 
use were noted during the 1978 survey. 
In the northern highlands, total ducks decreased 25 % 
from 1977. Increases were noted for shovelers ( + 264%), 
gadwall (+ 206%), and blue-winged teal (+95%). De- 
creases were found in the wigeon (-59%), pintail 
(-33%), and green-winged teal (-6%). Geese increased 
8% from last year; the white-fronted goose (Anser albi- 
frons) increased the most (+ 42%). 
In the central highlands, total ducks increased 78%, 
dabblers 151%, and divers 142%. Significant increases 
were found in wigeon (+427%), blue-winged teal 
(+ 268%), gadwall ( + 224%), shoveler (+ 178%), green- 
winged teal (+164%), pintail (+73%), scaup 
(+1,856%), and ring-necked ducks (+ 138%). Ruddy 
ducks decreased 83% from 1977. The snow and white- 
fronted goose populations increased significantly from 
1977 with increases of 129 and 603%, respectively. 
On the lower west coast, total duck population levels 
increased by 177% with notable increases in dabblers 
(+688 %) and smaller increases (+ 109%) in divers. Sig- 
nificant increases from 1977 were in pintail (+ 2,260 %), 
wigeon (+ 1,744%), blue-winged teal (+ 1,040%), gad- 
wall (+705%), shoveler (+516%), and black-bellied 
tree ducks, Dendrocygna autumnalis (+ 418%). Scaup 
increased 105% over 1977, whereas ruddy ducks de- 
creased 100 % from 1977. 
West Coast and Baja California 
Little change in habitat was evident since 1977, except 
for drier conditions near Topolobampo and in the Maris- 
mas Nacional. Land clearing and dike construction con- 
tinued on the mainland as did salt production. The evap- 
oration basins on Baja were beginning to produce some 
vegetation and attracted a few ducks. 
The survey indicated an increase of 68% from 1977 for 
dabblers, but a decrease of 51% for divers. Total ducks 
increased 45% . Greatest increases from 1977 were in gad- 
wall (+ 186%), blue-winged teal ( + 224%), fulvous tree 
ducks, Dendrocygna bicolor (+200%),  shoveler 
(+83%), wigeon (+66%), and pintail (+62%). De- 
creases were noted in canvasback (-75% ), scaup (-45%), 
and redhead (-31%). Brant increased to 130,756, a 9% 
increase from 1977. 
Table A-3 summarizes the data from the three survey 
areas in Mexico. 
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 infor- 
mation in this regard is essential for effective manage- 
ment of this resource. Currently, waterfowl! populations 
and habitat are surveyed over about 20.8 million km? of 
breeding habitat within portions of Alaska, British 
Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, 
the Northwest Territories, the Dakotas, and Minnesota. 
In addition to the Service’s annual breeding ground 
survey, 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- 
flects 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 histori- 
cal production survey data (1955-71) are available in 
Special Scientific Report — Wildlife No. 160 (1972). The 
procedures followed in conducting the breeding ground 
surveys are established in the Service’s “Standard Oper- 
ating Procedures for Aerial Waterfowl Breeding Ground 
Population and Habitat Surveys” (April 1977). 
Alaska and the Yukon Territory 
Data supplied by James G. King and Bruce P. Conant 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Weather and habitat conditions were optimal for all 
species of ducks and geese. Seasonal indicators such as ice 
breakup pools and weather bureau statistics showed that 
Alaska had an early spring during 1978. By survey time 
there was no ice except on the north slope of the Seward 
Peninsula and the Old Crow Flats in the Yukon. In the in- 
terior areas of Alaska, trees were leafed out and grass was 
growing to a height of 15cm by survey time. Spring 
flooding was not observed on the survey area and water 
levels in lakes and ponds were normal except at a few 
locations, usually charged by spring floods. 
Breeding Populations (Tables B-1, B-1a) 
The survey was conducted 17 May through 11 June 
1978, requiring 17 days in the air and 91 aircraft h; 
5 davs were lost to weather. The total waterfowl breed- 
ing population estimate was 22% below that of 1977 but 
represented a 22% increase from average. All species 
except redhead, canvasback, goldeneve (Bucephala clan- 
vula and B. islandica), and eiders (Somateria spp.) had 
estimates greater than the 10-year average. Dabblers 
were down 26% compared with 1977 but were 30% 
above average. In particular, mallards were down 31 % 
from 1977 but were still 32% above average. Wigeon esti- 
mates were up by 30% compared with 1977 and were 
83% above average. Pintail indices declined 48% com- 
pared with 1977 but were still 5% above the average. 
Diving duck indices as a whole were down 27% as com- 
pared with 1977 but represented no change from the 
average. Independent observations revealed an increase 
in clutch size among geese and black brant. Whistling 
swan (Olor columbianus) breeding population indices 
were below 1977 figures and below average. 
Northern Alberta, 
Northeastern British Columbia, 
and the Northwest Territories 
Data supplied by Morton M. Smith, Lonnie D. Schroeder, 
K. Duane Norman, and Larrv E. Mallard 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
During the last half of May, weather conditions were 
unsettled, with periods of sain, snow, overcast skies, and 
associated low temperatures. The season was considered 1 
to 2 weeks late, particularly north of Yellowknife. Ice 
was persistent in northern areas and the survey was de- 
layed at Yellowknife. Norman Wells, and Inuvik because 
of the lack of open water. On 5 June 1978, the McKenzie 
River was ice-covered from Arctic Red River north to the 
mouth. Ice breakup on the river at Inuvik was one of the 
latest on record. Although it is believed early springs are 
more favorable than late springs for duck production in 
the north, it is difficult to quantify this relation. It was 
obvious in a late season such as this that some species 
pushed into the first open water. It is suspected this is evi- 
dence of an urgent need to begin nesting and is related to 
the short summer season in the north. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-2) 
Habitat conditions were improved on the prairies 
during May 1978 compared with May 1977. In southern 
Alberta, the parklands were also drier this year than last. 
It is surmised that some birds moved into northern Al- 
berta because duck numbers increased there during May 
1978. In the Northwest Territories duck numbers de- 
creased from the very high levels recorded during 1977. 
The duck population recorded in northern Alberta and 
the Northwest Territories in 1978 remained surprisingly 
high in view of the improvement in prairie habitat. Total 
duck numbers in 1978 were 6% below those recorded in 
1977 but remained 7% above average. This decline was 
centered among dabbling ducks which were down 19% 
from 1977. Mallard numbers were down 12% from 1977 
and were 4% below the long-term average. The numer- 
ically important wigeon (+ 13%) and green-winged teal 
(+58 %) increased in 1978 compared with 1977, whereas 
pintail numbers declined sharply (-53%). 
Diving duck numbers remained unchanged from 1977 
but the species’ composition was altered. Scaup, canvas- 
back, and ring-necked ducks decreased, whereas red- 
head, goldeneye, and bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) in- 
creased. Among the remaining species, scoters (Melanitta 
spp.) showed a substantial gain (+ 29%) compared with 
1977. 
Coots were down 85% in the survey unit in 1978 com- 
pared with the record numbers encountered in 1977. 
Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Manitoba, and 
the Saskatchewan River Delta 
Data supplied by Arthur R. Brazda, James R. Goldsberrv, 
Douglas S. Benning, and William W. Larned 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
In general, the survey area experienced a very cold but 
open winter which resulted in thick ice conditions and a 
late spring breakup. Spring was 2 to 3 weeks later than 
normal, and moisture deficiencies continued to be a prob- 
lem in northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan 
during 1978. Assessing the habitat in all strata of the area, 
the rating was poor to fair. Water levels in most of the 
existing boreal forest type potholes and string bogs were 
low and did not last out the summer. As late as 8 June 
1978, snow squalls were evident in much of northern 
Manitoba on a daily basis and temperatures were below 
normal. Vegetative development was greatly retarded. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-3) 
Shortly after the survey was initiated, it was obvious 
that mallards and teal were in good supply, especially 
green-winged teal. This was true for all strata except 25, 
where mallard and teal indices were down from 1977 
levels. Total ducks increased 29% over 1977 and were 
28% above average. Dabbling ducks increased 36 and 

