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Fig. 1. Transects and strata for principal areas of waterfowl! breeding population and production surveys. 
Survey participation was similar to prior years and in- 
cluded 47 Service and 124 State personnel covering 
30,571 air and 12,486 ground kilometers in conducting 
the survey. 
Results of the survey (Tables A-1, A-2), revealed a 2% 
decrease in overall duck population figures from 1977 but 
an increase of 3% above average (1968-77). Mallard 
(Anas platyrhynchos), American wigeon (A. americana), 
and green-winged teal (A. crecca carolinensis) indices 
were up 13%, 44%, and 41%, respectively, as compared 
with 1977; northern shovelers (A. clypeata), redheads 
(Aythya americana), canvasbacks (A. valisineria), ruddy 
ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis), and American coots (Fulica 
americana) were below 1977 levels. Pintails (Anas acuta) 
within the States were down 17% from 1977; however, 
1.76 million were counted in western Mexico, which 
brought the flyway total to within ~7% of the 1977 popu- 
lation. Goose population levels were all less than they 
were in 1977 with the exception of the lesser Canada 
goose (Branta canadensis parvipes), which showed an 
apparent 20% increase over the 1977 levels. Black brant 
(Branta bernicla nigricans) indices were 26% above the 
1977 figures. 
Central Flyway 
Data supplied by Harvey Miller 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Surveys of geese were conducted between 12 and 16 
December 1977. There were no reports of weather ham- 
pering the surveys. Most areas were surveyed by aircraft 
and there were no reports of changes from 1977, in either 
methods or areas covered. 
Participation included 62 Service and 192 State per- 
sonnel. Thirty-one aircraft flew 234h covering 
26,658 km and over 29,354 km were covered by auto- 
mobiles. 
The dabbling duck index was 28% below that of 1977 
but only 15% below the 10-year average. The diving 
duck index was 38% below that of 1977 and 6% lower 
than the average. All goose counts were above those of 
1976 and early 1977; increases ranged from +35% to 
+97%. Similar increases were evident when the data 
were compared with the average. The coot index was 
down by 29% from 1977. 

Mississippi Flyway 
Data supplied by Kenneth FE. Gamble 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The 1978 survey was scheduled for 3-8 January 1978. 
Surveys in Region 3 and Region 6 States extended from 2 
to 10 January 1978. Snow and ice covered much of the 
area; snow depths ranged up to 51 cm in some areas. In 
Region 4, surveys extended from 3 to 26 January 1978. 
Inclement weather and mechanical delays resulted in 
incomplete surveys in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Ten- 
nessee. In southeast Louisiana, the major lakes and bays 
and the Mississippi River were not surveyed. Redhead 
concentration areas also were not surveyed. Only 5 of 11 
survey routes in Kentucky were completed, and 6 Ten- 
nessee routes were not surveyed. Lack of water in rice 
and soybean fields may have affected survey results in 
Mississippi. 
Participation included 427 personnel from both the 
Service and various States. Forty-two aircraft and 313 
automobiles covered 54,400 km of survey routes. 
The dabbling duck index was down 30% as compared 
with 1977 and was 32% below the 10-year average. Blue- 
winged teal (Anas discors) were down 84% compared 
with 1977 and were 90% below average. Decreases in 
other dabbling duck species compared with the 1977 
count ranged from -73% mottled duck (A. fultvigula) to 
-9% black duck (A. rubripes). The diving duck index was 
down 56% from 1977 and -67% from average. Goose 
indices were up 25% compared with 1977 and +59% 
compared with the 10-year average. The total waterfowl 
index was 23% less than 1977 and -22% below average. 
Atlantic Flyway 
Data supplied by Warren Blandin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Surveys were completed from 3 to 25 January 1978. 
Delays because of weather were encountered in New 
Hampshire, New York, and North Carolina and con- 
tinued severe weather prevented West Virginia personnel 
from participating in the survey. Throughout much of 
the flyway, however, weather was seasonable and skies 
were clear or partly cloudy. Daytime temperatures 
ranged from -18° to -1°C in the Northeast and up to 8°C 
in southeastern States north of Florida. Icing occurred in 
salt marshes, small creeks, and guts as far south as Chesa- 
peake Bay but the larger bays and harbors remained ice- 
free. Inland ponds were frozen as far south as South 
Carolina. Throughout most of the survey area, food 
availability was good with the exception of sea lettuce, 
which was abundant only in deepwater areas in New Jer- 
sey’s bays. 
Participation and effort was similar to prior years with 
32 Service and 62 State personnel covering 48,258 km by 
aircraft, automobile, and boat. 
Results of the 1978 survey revealed that total water- 
fowl indices decreased by 19% compared with 1977 and 
were 9% below the 10-year average. All major waterfowl 
groups declined compared with 1977 levels, and only 
dabblers, geese, and swans exceeded the 1968-77 
average; divers were 19% below average. Mallards de- 
clined 4% in 1978 but were still 34% above the average. 
Black ducks were up 3% from 1977 but down 3% from 
the average. Green-winged teal were down 22% from 
1977 and -40% from the average; pintails were down 
20 % in both categories. Of the divers, canvasbacks were 
down 17% from 1977 and up 4% from the average. Of 
particular note was the low number of ring-necked ducks 
(Aythya collaris) encountered in the 1978 survey. Al- 
though all species of geese declined from 1977 levels, 
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) remained above the 
10-year average. Atlantic brant (Branta bernicla hrota) 
numbers were the lowest since 1973 and starvation was 
observed among this species in some coastal sections of 
New Jersey. 
Mexico 
Data supplied by Arthur Brazda. William W. Larned, 
Douglas S. Benning, Rossalius C. Hanson. Kenneth 
D. Norman, and Bruce P. Conant 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
and 
Aradit Castellanos Vera. Gonzalo Medina Gonzalez. and 
Sandalio Reves Osorio 
Mexico Departmento de Conservacion 
The three major areas surveyed in Mexico during 
January 1978 were (1) the east coast from the Rio 
Grande Delta to the Yucatan Peninsula, (2) the interior 
highlands from Juarez to Oaxaca, and (3) the west 
coast from Mexicali to Tapachula and the coastal areas 
of Baja California. The three surveys were initiated be- 
tween 11 and 13 January 1978 and were completed be- 
tween 20 and 28 January 1978. A total of 151 h were 
flown by aircraft covering 33,952 km by six Service and 
three Mexican Department of Conservation personnel. 
East Coast 
Habitat conditions were generally good; however, 
high water continued to be a problem in the Tamesi 
and Panuco River Delta near Tampico. High water also 
reduced habitat quality ir the Alvarado lagoons. Oil 
and other pollutants were evident near Tampico and 
around Coatzacoalcos and Minatitlan. There appeared 
to be some effort for a cleaner, more orderly process in 
the recent oil development projects. 
Total duck population indices decreased 33% from 
1977; dabblers and divers decreased 36 and 28% , respec- 

