tions in eastern Montana. Where water areas were en- 
countered (mostly stock dams) the levels were low, water 
quality poor, and surrounding nesting cover severely 
lacking. Heavy rain began on 15 May and continued 
through 20 May. This much needed water permeated the 
dry soil, but produced no new water areas. 
Breeding Population (Table B-7) 
This survey was initiated on 9 May and terminated on 
20 May. The total duck index was down 35% from the 
1976 index and 34% from the 10-year average. Mallard 
and pintail were down from the 10-year average 16% and 
50%, respectively. The only species recorded above the 
10-year average were gadwall and mergansers (+ 36% 
and +70%, respectively). American coots were below 
the 1976 index and the 10-year average 72% and 44%, 
respectively. This is indicative of the poor quality of 
nesting habitat. A total lone drake index of 68% is in the 
normal range of values compared to those of the previous 
10 years. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Hot and dry weather conditions during June and July 
caused further deterioration of the already poor nesting 
habitat. The July pond index decreased 4] % from 1976, 
26% from the 10-year average, and 32% since May 1977. 
Stock dams were generally low and steep-sided with little 
nesting cover in the vicinity. Permanent rivers and 
streams offered the best of the generally poor quality 
nesting habitat. 
Production (Table B-7) 
Survey flights were conducted on 3 and 4 July, but due 
to aircraft maintenance, the remainder of the survey was 
delayed until 12 through 16 July. The brood index was 
47% below 1976 and 52% below the 10-year average. 
Average brood size was 4.7, 13% below 1976 and below 
5.0 for the first time since 1968. The late-nesting index of 
5.4 is 72% below 1976 and 73% below the 10-year aver- 
age. 
North and South Dakota 
Data supplied by Edgar Ferguson and Douglas Searls 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Below-normal spring precipitation in North Dakota 
through mid-May resulted in generally drier than normal 
conditions. The latter part of May brought substantial 
rainfall to most of North Dakota, which enhanced agri- 
cultural crop production but was probably too late to 
have a positive effect on waterfowl production. The 
North Dakota pond index decreased 47% in relation to 
1976 and 42% in relation to the average. Stratum 43, 
which is located west of the Missouri River, showed 
increases of 26% compared to 1976 and 16% to the long- 
term average. 
In southern and western South Dakota, heavy March 
rains resulted in some favorable conditions for both agri- 
cultural and waterfowl production, especially west of the 
Missouri River (stratum 44). In northern South Dakota 
drier conditions existed and habitat was similar to that 
described for North Dakota. 
The pond index increased 10% from the 1976 survey 
but decreased 25% in relation to the long-term average. 
Breeding Population (Tables B-8 and B-9) 
The survey was conducted from 5 through 20 May 
1977. In North Dakota the total duck index was down 
38% from 1976 and 61% from the long-term average. 
Dabbling ducks decreased 35% in relation to 1976 and 
60 % compared to the previous 10-year average. Mallards 
dropped 18% from 1976 and 36% from the average. 
Wigeon declined 57 % from the 1976 index and 30% from 
the average. Pintail decreased 56% from the 1976 index 
and 83% from the average index. Total diving ducks 
decreased 67 % in relation to both 1976 and the long-term 
average. Coots decreased 37% from the 1976 index and 
72% from the average. 
The South Dakota survey results were similar to those 
in North Dakota, with a few exceptions. All species 
showed a decline in breeding population from the 10-year 
average. The total duck index decreased 29% from 1976 
and 50% from the long-term average. Pintail (+ 17%) 
and shoveler ( + 13%) were the only duck species to show 
increases over 1976. The lone drake index for North 
Dakota was the lowest on record, and for South Dakota it 
was the second lowest since 1965. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
In North Dakota, scattered rain showers fell from late 
May through July. This rain improved agricultural crop 
potential but did not enhance depleted subsoil moisture. 
It may have improved waterfowl habitat in some local- 
ized areas, but the July pond index was still the lowest on 
record. Only one small area northwest of Minot could be 
considered excellent habitat. The overall pond index was 
52% below that of 1976 and 51% below the 10-year 
average. 
South Dakota also received scattered rainfall through- 
out the summer, but rains came too late to help the pond 
index recover from the dry winter and spring conditions. 
The pond index approached the all-time low of 1974. 
Production (Tables B-8 and B-9) 
This survey was flown from 4 through 15 July 1977. In 
North Dakota, the duck brood index was up 6% from the 
1976 totals, due primarily to the large concentration of 
broods in a small portion of stratum 45 and in a brood 

increase in stratum 43. The average brood size of 4.9 was 
the lowest ever recorded and may reflect the hostile en- 
vironmental conditions under which many broods were 
raised. The late-nesting index was down 51% from 1976 
m the average. 
ae ee Dakota anc brood index increased 90% 
from the 1976 index but remained 32% below the long- 
term average. The late-nesting index increased from the 
1976 percentage but was 62% below the 10-year average. 
Minnesota 
Data supplied by Robert L. Jessen 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The spring of 1977 was extremely dry throughout the 
waterfowl production areas of Minnesota. The pa 
number of ponds were recorded since establishing tt e 
present survey routes in 1968 (Table B-10). Topsoil mois- 
ture was considered critical in the State north of the line 
extending from the Twin Cities to Grand Forks. Late 
May and early June rains reversed the situation. By 6 June 
moisture was adequate statewide, with excess amounts 
northwest of Red Lakes. Small lakes in Clearwater 
County that were completely dry in May were restored : 
near normal levels in June. These rains improved pon 
water levels somewhat in western Minnesota, but runoff 
there was slight. 
Breeding Population (Tables B-10 through B-13) 
Survey flights began on 9 May and proceeded a 
until 19 May when weather grounded the aircraft. T ; 
survey was finally completed on 28 May. The tota 
breeding duck index, as unadjusted for visibility bias, was 
170,080 (Table B-11). Although this is the lowest total for 
the 3-year period beginning in 1975, the high-visibility 
correction factor boosts the total to 738,000, which is the 
highest for that period (Table B-12). The adjusted 
mallard breeding population continued to rise in 1977, 
totaling 218,000 birds. ; 
A 9 June flight, designed to monitor nesting acon 
revealed a higher than normal percentage of drakes sti 
accompanied by hens. This may reflect some persistent 
nesting effort stimulated by late May and early June pre- 
cipitation. Although June flights are not designed to esti- 
mate mallard abundance, the large numbers tallied in 
1977 clearly exceeded all other years during which June 
flights were conducted. Drought was suspected to have 
influenced the distribution of these birds after abondon- 
f nesting efforts elsewhere. 
yt’ acer cause for the high mallard index was 
the extremely low direct band recovery rate for Min- 
nesota-reared birds, due to the delayed 1976 hunting sea- 
son. The blue-winged teal index was also high and that, 
too, may be attributed to drought drawing birds to the 
lake region of Minnesota. 
Washington 
Data supplied by Richard Parker 
Washington Department of Game 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
A below-average snowfall in the mountains during the 
1976-77 winter, combined with an unusually mild 
winter, resulted in a reduced spring runoff. This contrib- 
uted to a reduction in pothole numbers and to the general 
low level of surface water in eastern Washington. The 
number of potholes present during the May production 
survey was down 46% and 40%, respectively, from 1976 
and the 1967-76 average. The potholes in July decreased 
62% and 58% from 1976 and the 10-year average, Tes- 
pectively. This was the lowest July pothole count in - 
years. Very little precipitation fell in June and July on 
temperatures remained above average, which accelerate 
the drying of the potholes. 
Breeding Population (Table B-14) 
Duck breeding populations were down 19% from 
1976, but were 13% above the 10-year average (Table 
B-14). Dabbling ducks made up 76% of the duck sie 
potential, down 16% from 1976, but up 10% from the 
average. The most notable increase was for wood duck 
(Aix sponsa), which was up 192%. Diving ducks de- 
creased 29% from 1976 but remained 28% above the 
1967-76 average. 
Production (Tables B-15 and B-16) 
The production index for all waterfowl was down 21 % 
from 1976, but was about equal to the 10-year average 
(Table B-15). Immature birds made up a slightly smaller 
percentage (50%) of the index than in 1976 and for bi 
10-year average. All dabblers, with exception of the woo 
duck, were down in 1977. Mallard production was 24% 
under the 1976 index and the 10-year average. The 
Canada goose (Branta canadensis) production index ous 
up 2% from 1976 (Table B-16). The Yakima River an 
Columbia Basin lakes showed the major increases. Geese 
nesting on the upper Columbia River experienced signifi- 
cant mortality due to coyote predation during a draw- 
down of the pools in March. 
California 
Data supplied by J. LeDonne, Frank Kozlik, 
H. George, and D. Hinz 
California Department of Fish and Game 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Habitat conditions in northeastern California were the 
