Production (Table B-3) 
The duck brood index indicates no significant change 
from the previous year for the comparable asta. 
however, considering all strata surveyed, there is an 18% 
decrease from the long-term average. The average duck 
brood size was 9.4, which is a decrease of 12 % from 1976 
and a decrease of 2% from the average. The late-nestin 
index for all dabbling ducks was 65% above the ee 
year and 18% above the average. 
Southern Alberta 
Data supplied by K. Duane Norman and John W. Koerner 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
For the third consecutive year, southern Alberta was 
generally dry and mild from September through April 
The weather changed in May with cooler temperatures 
and more precipitation, F requent rain and snow brought 
the precipitation level to the monthly norm by 16 Ma 
These late rains, however, did little to improve the ee. 
tat for waterfowl. When the crew arrived in Calga 
habitat conditions were about 4 weeks ahead of ei 
The May pond index was down 49% from 1976 and 45 % 
ail ie Nene: average. As a whole the survey area 
ept stratum 26, w l 
Lee ey eet as far too dry for normal waterfowl 
Breeding Population (Table B-4) 
The survey was conducted from 7 th 
1977, Total ducks decreased 33% from ae 
being shared almost equally between the puddle ducks 
(-34%) and divers (-36 %). Of the puddle ducks pintail 
showed the most significant decrease from Yet ear 
(~67%). Decreases are also noted for wigeon (45%) 
mallard (-41%), shoveler (-34%), and blue-winged eal 
(-10%). Increases from last year were indicated for gad- 
wall (+13%) and green-winged teal (+ 4%), Among the 
divers, goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) showed the 
greatest decrease from last year (~86%). Decreases wer 
also reported for redhead (-54%), canvasback (16%), 
scaup (-28%), and bufflehead (-26%). Ringneck : 
ducks increased 75 % from last year. sn 
Looking at the long-term averages, puddle ducks were 
down 40%, but divers were 17% above the average. In- 
creases are shown for gadwall (+2%), blue-winged teal 
(+5%), redhead (+ 16%), canvasback (+40%), scau 
(+ 18%) and ring-necked ducks (+ 24%). Demeceuss lw 
noted for mallard (-43 % ), wigeon (-56%), green-winged 
teal (-22%), shoveler (-51%), pintail (-76%), goldene 
oe ; and bufflehead (-15%). 4d 
e lone drake index was 15% belo - 
average. Instead of indicating a later a pda 
season, this index probably indicates the pair bond is still 
intact, but chances are that nesting by these pairs will be 
less than 50%. 
Summer Weather and Habitat 
Pind ade ias averaged near normal in northern 
erta during June to slightly above normal in the 
southern half of the Province. Rainfall during the month 
was frequent, but the total amount received was far 
below normal. Temperatures during July were slightl 
below normal throughout Alberta. Rainfall se er, 
was well above normal as some light tendon and 
evening moisture was recorded daily. This precipitation 
did little for the wetlands except to maintain water levels 
in areas already containing water. Except for the Milk 
River Ridge, the large wetlands near Taber Sterling, and 
the Murray Lakes, stratum 27, were Eiaraet without 
water. Permanent wetlands were relatively abundant in 
most of the strata. The losses that occurred involved 
mostly type III wetlands. Most dugouts were full because 
of eR ats thunderstorms, but those dugouts and 
wetlands that were dry i i i 
ate oe n May did not benefit from the 
Production (Table B-4) 
The survey was initiated on 5 July and 
13 July 1977. Waterfowl HT Ra Sa vite 
was poor. Brood indicies in southern Alberta dropped 
34% below last year and 33% below the average 
Greatest decreases were noted in stratum 27 (53%), 
followed by stratum 29 (-52%), stratum 28 (-47 %) ane 
stratum 26 (-27%). The average number of ducklings er 
brood was 4.8, which represents a 10% decrease a0 
1976. Indicative of the poor habitat conditions was the 
lack of coot broods. None were recorded in the lower 
three strata and a 46% decrease was recorded for stratum 
26. The late-nesting index showed a 64% decrease from 
1976 and a 32% decrease from the 10-year average. 
Southern Saskatchewan 
Data supplied by Rossalius C. Hanson and William Larned 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The past winter and early spring had normal or above- 
normal temperatures and a drastic reduction in moisture 
through April. Winter and early spring precipitation was 
the lowest ever recorded at many weather stations. The 
drought condition prevailed throughout the surve pa 
Temperatures remained above normal through Ma in 
early May, southern portions of the Province ees, 
heavy rains that continued throughout the month. The 
effect on ponds and potholes was beneficial but not c the 
extent that was needed. Much of the moisture permeated 
the dry soil and little runoff was noted, so little nestin 
habitat was created. Accordingly, the May pond ifidex 

was down 47% from 1976 and 46% from the 10-year 
average. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-5) 
The survey was conducted from 3 through 23 May 
1977. The total adjusted duck population decreased 24 % 
since 1976 and 12% from the 10-year average. The diving 
duck index was up 19% from last year, mainly due to a 
43% increase in scaup. Dabbling duck index was down 
30% from 1976 and was 20% below the average, with 
pintail (-65%), wigeon (-41%), and shoveler (-43%) 
showing the greatest decline from the average. The lone 
drake index of 65.5 was one of the lowest on recent 
record. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Condition 
The frequent rain showers reported during May con- 
tinued through July with the exception of stratum 33 
where there was little relief from the drought conditions. 
Sheet-water ponds that developed during the rains dis- 
appeared after a couple of weeks and were of little bene- 
fit, due to the previous extended period of drought. How- 
ever, there were definite benefits in that the rains and 
runoff maintained those viable ponds that had adequate 
water levels. The July temperatures were cooler than nor- 
mal. This helped to delay the drying of the soil and 
ponds. The total ponds in July 1977 were down 48% from 
1976 and 33% below the 10-year average. 
Production (Table B-5) 
This survey was initiated on | July and terminated on 
17 July. Despite the poor habitat conditions, the brood 
index was only down 16% from 1976 and up 4% from the 
10-year average. The average brood size was 5.3 this 
year, which is 17% higher than 1976 and 4% higher than 
the average. Coot broods were down 46% from 1976 and 
15% from the average. The late-nesting index was down 
23% from last year, but up 12% from the 10-year 
average. 
Southern Manitoba 
Data supplied by Douglas S. Benning and James R. Goldsberry 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
After 3 years of relatively wet conditions in southern 
Manitoba, near drought conditions prevailed across the 
area on | May. Despite well above normal rainfall during 
May, water conditions as measured by numbers of semi- 
permanent and permanent water bodies remained ex- 
tremely poor at month’s end. The May pond index was 
down 45% from 1976 and 37% from the 1967-76 aver- 
age. The areas that normally contained the greatest num- 
ber of ducks had the lowest pond indicies. Upland and 
overwater nesting cover was in extremely poor condition 
because of clearing and burning practices in the fall. May 
brought warm temperatures and clear skies to southern 
Manitoba, affording waterfowl early access to what little 
habitat was available. 
Breeding Populations (Table B-6) 
The survey was initiated on 4 May and continued 
through 27 May. Breeding population estimates were 
generally well below 1976 levels and the 1967-76 
average. From 1976, total ducks were down 54%, 
dabblers down 60%, and divers down 35%. By species, 
mallards were down 53%, blue-winged teal down 55%, 
pintail down 90%, redhead up 12%, canvasback down 
51%, and coot down 62%. From the previous 10-year 
average, total ducks were down 40%, dabblers down 
50%, and divers were unchanged. By species, mallards 
were down 28%, blue-winged teal down 47%, pintail 
down 86%, redhead up 11%, canvasback down 18%, 
and coot down 37%. The lone drake index was an ex- 
tremely low 68.2%, the lowest since 1962. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Periods of heavy rainfall in June and July provided 
above-normal precipitation for the period. Temperatures 
were generally above normal through June and below 
normal through the first 3 weeks of July. The July pond 
index was 15% below 1976 but 4% above the previous 
10-year average. The most significant loss, a 61% 
decrease from 1976 and a 52% decrease from the 10-year 
average, was in stratum 39. 
Habitat conditions were better than anticipated, due 
to the heavy precipitation. The rains and warm days 
served to maintain pond water levels and stimulate vege- 
tative growth. Permanent bodies of water were in as good 
as or better shape than they were in May. A luxuriant 
growth of emergent vegetation provided excellent brood 
cover. 
Production (Table B-6) 
This survey was conducted from 7-18 July 1977. The 
total duck brood index for southern Manitoba was 16% 
below 1976 but 7% above the previous 10-year average. 
The average brood size was 5.6 ducklings per brood. This 
was 10% above last year and 5% above average. The coot 
brood index was 72% below 1976 and 48% below aver- 
age. The total duck late-nesting index was 56% above 
1976 but 20 % below the previous 10-year average. 
Montana 
Data supplied by James F. Voelzer and Larry Mallard 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Little precipitation and below-normal snowfall 
through mid-May combined to create poor habitat condi- 
