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Fig. 1. Transects and strata for principal areas of waterfow! breeding population and production surveys. 
Pacific Flyway 
Data supplied by John E. Chattin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The annual winter waterfowl survey started on 
3 January 1977. Counts were delayed in California and 
parts of the Columbia Basin due to foggy weather, but 
overall counts were considered comparable to previous 
years. Forty-five Service and 136 State personnel partici- 
pated in this year’s survey. Twenty-nine aircraft flew 
187.7 h covering 30,113 km. Approximately 11,400 addi- 
tional kilometers were covered by personnel in 79 auto- 
mobiles. 
Results of this year’s survey (Tables A-1 and A-2) show 
a slight increase in total ducks from 1976. The dabbling 
ducks index was 6% above 1976 and 8% above the 10- 
year average. The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) count 
was down 6% from 1976 and down 29% from the 10- 
year average, whereas pintail (A. acuta) were 9% above 
1976 and 32% above the average. The diving ducks were 
6% above 1976 and 15% above average. The total goose 
count showed a decrease from 1976 (-7%) and from the 
10-year average (-4%). The most significant decline was 
noted for the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), 
which was down 40% from 1976 and 54% below the 
average. The snow goose (A. caerulescens) was up slightly 
from 1976 (+3%) and from the 10-year average (+ 5%), 
while Ross’ goose (A. rossii) was up 34% over 1976 and 
42% over the average. Black brant recovered from a low 
count in 1976, increasing 57% for the year and 34% over 
the previous 10-year average. 
Central Flyway 
Data supplied by Harvey W. Miller 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Goose surveys were conducted between 13 and 17 De- 
cember 1976. The South Dakota count may be low 
because mild weather allowed geese to use field loafing 
areas during the Missouri River survey. Texas reported 
the arrival of significant numbers of geese after the 
surveys were completed, again reflecting the mild 
weather conditions. Total geese were recorded to be 
below both the 1976 survey (-30%) and the average 
(-10%). All species showed a decline. 
Surveys of ducks, coots, and swans were scheduled for 
3-7 January 1977. A total of 61,639 km were traveled by 
245 participants, using automobiles, boats, and 29 air- 
craft. Inclement weather delayed the surveys until 

10 January in east Texas, 12 January in eastern Okla- 
homa and the San Luis Valley of Colorado, and until 
19 January in the Trans Pecos of Texas. Surveys could not 
be conducted in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. 
Dabbling ducks showed a 7% increase over 1976 and a 
23% increase over the 10-year average. The most signifi- 
cant increase was recorded for gadwall (Anas strepera), 
which were 75 % and 69% above the 10-year average and 
1976 total, respectively. Diving ducks were 17% below 
the 1976 count but remained 47% above the 10-year 
average. Redheads were 68% above the 10-year average 
and scaup (Aythya marila) were 62% below the 1976 
total. The total count for all ducks was 4% above 1976 
and 26% above the average. 
Mississippi Flyway 
Data supplied by Kenneth E. Gamble 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The 1977 survey was scheduled for the week of 
3-7 January. Extremely severe weather throughout the 
flyway resulted in prolonged delays and failure to com- 
plete surveys in some areas. Alabama was the only State 
in Region 4 to complete all surveys. The comparability of 
the 1977 waterfowl estimates to previous surveys is 
questionable because of the difficulties caused by adverse 
weather. There were 431] participants using 47 aircraft, 
269 automobiles, and 19 boats, in which they traveled a 
total of 62,449 km. 
The dabbling ducks were down 30% from 1976 and 
6% from the 10-year average. The most significant yearly 
declines were recorded for gadwall, down 43%; wigeon 
(Anas americana), down 66%; blue-winged teal (A. 
discors), down 58%; and shovelers (Spatula clypeata), 
down 69%. Diving ducks were 19% below 1976 but were 
still 48% above the 10-year average. 
Geese were slightly up from 1976 (+8%) and signifi- 
cantly above the 10-year average (+ 33%), and Canada 
geese (Branta canadensis) showed the largest increase. 
This year’s total cannot be compared to the 10-year 
average because of a shift in the goose survey from a total 
waterfowl count in January to an exclusive goose count in 
December. 
Atlantic Flyway 
Data supplied by Warren W. Blandin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Most States completed their inventories within the 
survey dates (3-7 January), but strong winds hampered 
flights in the Carolinas and Florida, and freezing rain 
and snow delayed flights in Virginia and West Virginia. 
There was extensive icing over of all major rivers, shelter 
bays, inlets, and stream and tidal marshes in the North- 
east and Mid-Atlantic States. Significant waterfowl mor- 
tality resulted from the extreme icing and the unavail- 
ability of waste grain and winter cover crops due to heavy 
accumulations of snow. These extreme weather con- 
ditions produced an abnormal waterfowl! distribution, 
but the total numbers were generally close to those of the 
10-year average. 
Total waterfowl increased by 15%, the most notable 
increase being American coots, Fulica americana 
(+41%) and geese (+24%). Canada geese approached 
the million mark (+ 18%) and brant declined by 42%. 
This decline may have represented a shift in population 
that was not picked up by survey crews; however, brant 
suffered heavy losses later in the wintering period. 
Mallards showed a substantial increase (39% above 
1976, 47% above the 10-year average), whereas black 
ducks dropped 5% below the 1976 survey estimate and 
nearly 7% below the 10-year average. 
Redheads and canvasbacks were well above the 10-year 
average (33% and 17%, respectively), and scaup and 
ring-necked ducks (Aythya cullaris) were below (14% 
and 46%, respectively). 
Participation included 35 Federal, 60 State, and 12 
volunteer personnel covering 51,823 km in 3 aircraft, 13 
boats, and 35 automobiles. 
West Coast of Mexico and Baja California 
Data supplied by K. Duane Norman 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The western Mexico survey was conducted during 
12-22 January 1977. This year’s survey was the first com- 
plete survey since 1970. Flight time was 48.4 h covering 
10,787 km. Major emphasis since 1970 has been on the 
black brant wintering areas. Little change in waterfowl 
habitat was evident since 1976, although some drying was 
noted near Topolabampo. Land clearing and dike con- 
struction continues in the E] Dorado to Dimas area. Agri- 
cultural and industrial development pose little threat to 
the brant habitat; tourism, however, can become a great 
threat. Sport and commercial fishing and sightseeing 
could cause enough disturbances on Baja to force the 
brant to move to more desirable areas on the mainland. 
Dabblers comprised 81% of the ducks observed. Pin- 
tail (45%) were most abundant, followed by green- 
winged teal (Anas crecca), 16%; scaup, 9%; shoveler, 
8%; blue-winged teal and cinnamon teal (A. cyanop- 
tera), 7%; wigeon, 4%; ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicen- 
sis), 4%; and redhead, 3%. White-fronted geese were 
about as abundant as last year, but snow geese were more 
numerous especially south of Mazatlan. Black brant are 
back to the numbers recorded in the late 1960's. An in- 
crease of 17% was noted since last year. This year’s brant 
total was 5% higher than the 1967-76 average. 
