Mexico, Central Highlands, and 
Southern West Coast 
Data supplied by Douglas S. Benning 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The survey was initiated from Juarez on 13 January 
and progressed southward through the highlands and 
along the lower west coast. The survey was terminated at 
Juarez on 26 January. A total of 52.1 flight h covering ap- 
proximately 12,606 km were required to complete the 
aerial coverage. 
The northern and central highlands had above-normal 
water levels. Increased agricultural activities and the as- 
sociated expansion of irrigation practices have altered 
certain traditional waterfowl areas. This has not signifi- 
cantly affected waterfowl numbers but has resulted in re- 
distribution of some waterfowl concentrations. Along the 
lower west coast habitat conditions appeared to be very 
similar to those observed in earlier years; however, water- 
fowl use has deteriorated to such an extent that the 
habitat may have undergone some subtle change un- 
detectable from aerial observation. 
Total waterfowl numbers in the highlands showed a 
substantial increase over 1970 and 1975. The 1977 total 
duck count was 378,865, well above the 288,735 recorded 
in 1970 and 302,748 recorded in 1965. Pintails accounted 
for the greatest increase. Mexican ducks (Anas diazi) 
totalled 7,365, only half the number observed in 1975 and 
1970, but about equal to that of 1965. Snow and white- 
fronted geese were well above the average observed in 
recent years. 
East Coast of Mexico 
Data supplied by Arthur R. Brazda 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The survey began 14 January and was terminated 28 
January. Forty-nine hours were flown, covering eastern 
Mexico from the Rio Grande Delta to the Cam- 
peche- Yucatan lagoons. High-quality habitat conditions 
prevailed throughout most of the gulf coast. Exceptions 
were the Panuco River-Tamesi River Delta, where the 
water was too high, and the Campeche-Yucatan lagoons, 
where portions of the lagoons were dry. Oil pollution 
continues to be a problem in the Tampico region as it does 
in the Coatzacoalcos-Minatitlan area and in certain parts 
of the Tabasco lagoons, between Veracruz and Carmen. 
The excellent habitat conditions are reflected by an 88% 
increase of total waterfowl. Total ducks were up 179%. 
The most significant increases were found in pintails 
(+564%), redhead (+254%), and scaup (+ 438%). 
Geese were down 539%, and all species showed signifi- 
cant declines from the 1975 totals. The only species that 
showed little fluctuation was American coot, which 
increased only 9%. 
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 
recording of this information is essential for effective 
management of the resource. Currently, waterfowl popu- 
lation and habitat changes are surveyed over 3.4 million 
km? of breeding habitat within portions of Alaska, the 
Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, 
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, the Dakotas, and 
Montana. 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 incorporated 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 
reports before 1973 reflect unadjusted figures. The histor- 
ical production survey data (1953-71) 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 operating 
procedures for aerial waterfowl breeding ground popula- 
tion and habitat surveys. 
Alaska and Yukon Territory 
Data supplied by James G. King and James C. Bartonek 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
December, January, and February set records for 
mildness throughout Alaska. March and April were near 
normal and May was normal in the interior and northern 
tundra but cool on the Yukon Delta. Snowfall on the 
Yukon Flats and in western Alaska was somewhat above 
average in the recharging of the closed basin lakes. The 
net result is that the interior habitat where water levels 
fluctuate was at what appeared to be an optimum condi- 
tion for all species. The tundra habitat appeared to be 
normal. The only areas without optimum habitat were 
the goose areas on the outer Yukon Delta where brant and 
cackling geese nesting was delayed and reduced from last 
year. 
Breeding Population (Table B-1) 
The survey was conducted from 20 May to 14 June 
1977 and resulted in the highest duck population index 
recorded in 22 years of surveys. The total duck breeding 
population estimate was 68% above 1976 and 70 % above 
the 1968-77 average. Dabbling ducks were up 115% 
from 1976 and 94% from the 10-year average. Pintails 

were up 130% from 1976 and 130% from the average. 
Diving ducks were up 20% from 1976 and 46% from the 
average. This increase in divers was apparently due to an 
influx from the dry Canadian prairie States. For example, 
17,100 redheads were recorded for the first time in the 
transects covered by this survey. 
Production 
No production surveys were flown in 1977, but good 
production conditions were predicted. The tremendous 
influx of birds may have increased total breeders, but ter- 
ritorial squabbles and the unfamiliarity of migrants may 
have kept production below optimum levels. 
Northern Alberta, Northeastern British Columbia, 
and the Northwest Territories 
Data supplied by Morton M. Smith and Lonnie D. Schroeder 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The season was 1-2 weeks early this year and was simi- 
lar to that of 1976. Water levels were lower than normal 
as a result of a relatively warm winter with little snow. 
Most shallow-water areas were ice-free as far north as 
Norman Wells by 29 May. In late May and early June 
near record high temperatures occurred for several days 
in the Norman Wells and Inuvik areas. This hot weather 
with strong southerly winds was effective in thawing the 
lakes farther north by 1 June. 
Breeding Population (Table B-2) 
The survey was initiated on 20 May and concluded on 
6 June 1977. Poor habitat conditions on the prairies pro- 
duced an apparent influx of traditional prairie nesters as 
evidenced by both the number and composition of ducks 
encountered during this survey. 
The duck population for the 1977 survey was second 
highest for this unit in the last 10 years. Substantial in- 
creases were recorded in all puddle duck populations 
compared to the long-term averages except for green- 
winged teal (-3%). Mallards, wigeon, and pintails were 
14%, 21%, and 98% above the 10-year average, respec- 
tively. 
Population changes among diving ducks varied. Both 
scaup (-8%) and bufflehead, Bucephala albeola (-7%) 
showed small decreases from average levels but the ring- 
necked duck showed a substantial gain (86%). Among 
the remaining species listed, oldsquaw (Clangula hye- 
malis) were 20% below average, whereas mergansers 
(Mergus spp.) and scoters (Melanitta spp.) were up 266% 
and 9%, respectively. The coot index provided additional 
evidence of the northward movement of traditional 
prairie nesters. Coot numbers increased markedly in this 
survey unit and greatly exceeded the long-term average 
level (+ 728%). 
Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Manitoba, and 
the Saskatchewan River Delta 
Data reported by Arthur R. Brazda and Bruce P. Conant 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Spring Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Moisture deficiencies and a mild winter prevailed for 
most of northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan 
through the 1976-77 fall and winter periods. Forest fires 
raged in Saskatchewan and central Manitoba from late 
April through mid-May. The breeding period was 2-3 
weeks earlier than normal; vegetation was well-devel- 
oped by mid-May and all of the lakes within a 160-km 
radius of Prince Albert were completely ice-free. Moder- 
ate rains that began on 16 May 1977 were helpful in sus- 
taining water levels on critical areas. A more normal 
weather pattern developed north of the Churchill River 
drainage in Saskatchewan and north of a line running 
generally east of Flin Flon, Manitoba. In Manitoba the 
Gillam, Lynn Lake, and Thompson areas reported 
above-normal precipitation for the period 1 August 1976 
through 31 May 1977. 
Breeding Population (Table B-3) 
The survey was conducted from 12 May to 12 June 
1979. There was no significant change for total ducks 
from either the 1970 or 10-year average index. Dabbling 
ducks were 6% higher than the previous year and 8% 
above the average. Mallards decreased 8% from the 
previous year and 9% from the average. 
Pintails increased 13% from the 1976 totals but were 
still 13% below the average. Blue-winged teal were 15% 
above the 1976 index and 33% above the 10-year 
average. 
The diving ducks were down 14% from the 1976 index 
and 12% below the average. Ring-necked ducks showed 
the most significant loss with a 32% decrease from both 
this year and the 10-year average. 
Summer Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Weather conditions were generally conducive to a good 
nesting effort in the areas surveyed. Warm temperatures 
prevailed from mid-May through mid-June. However, 
temperatures during the latter half of June to the con- 
clusion of the survey on 22 July were cooler than normal, 
though not detrimental to nesting. 
Where habitat conditions were poor during the Breed- 
ing Pair Survey, the July production survey showed no 
improvement or deterioration. Water levels dropped and 
marshes and potholes continued to dry up on the Big 
Meadow Lake region south and east of Montreal Lake, 
Flin Flon and south, and the Saskatchewan River Delta. 
Greater than normal precipitation resulted in good 
habitat conditions in northwestern Saskatchewan and in 
the Lynn Lake-Thompson-Gillam-—Manitoba complex. 
