Waterfowl Status Report, 1977 
Compiled and Edited by 
Carey S. Smith, Sharon L. Rhoades, and K. Duane Norman 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Office of Migratory Bird Management 
Section of Waterfowl Population Surveys 
Laurel, Maryland 20708 
This report contains information from the 1976-77 
midwinter waterfowl survey, the 1977 waterfowl 
breeding population and production surveys, and the 
waterfowl harvest surveys for the 1976-77 hunting 
season. This information was provided by the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and 
various cooperating State wildlife conservation agencies. 
Winter surveys are composed of the midwinter survey 
reports submitted from each of the four flyways and the 
midwinter surveys covering the east coast, west coast, 
and central highlands of Mexico. The breeding ground 
surveys section is composed of many individual reports 
that together provide breeding population and pro- 
duction estimates for most waterfowl species within a 
major portion of their breeding range. The waterfowl 
harvest survey provides estimates of waterfowl hunting 
activity and success. Information from surveys of the 
wintering and breeding populations of waterfowl, 
coupled with data from the annual harvest survey, are 
considered in the development of annual hunting 
regulations for waterfowl. 
Credit has been given to each individual or organiza- 
tion that submitted a report. Although some of the 
narrative statements have been condensed and a few 
tables deleted or condensed if they contain data presented 
elsewhere in this report, the essential information from 
each report has been retained. The breeding ground 
survey strata for areas surveyed by the Fish and Wildlife 
Service are shown in Fig. 1. 
Winter Survey 
A comprehensive survey of North American waterfowl 
on their wintering grounds is attempted each January by 
Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, assisted in the 
United States by State conservation departments and 
private individuals, in Canada by the Canadian Wildlife 
Service, and in Mexico by the Dirreccion General de la 
Fauna Silvestre. 
The U.S. winter survey was initiated in 1933 and for 14 
years was the only source of extensive inventory data 
relating to waterfowl distribution and abundance. With 
the development of spring breeding ground surveys 
commencing in 1947, less emphasis was placed on the 
winter survey. It continues, however, to furnish valuable 
information. 
* It provides the only direct means of monitoring the 
status of species not covered adequately by the spring 
surveys, such as the black duck (Anas rubripes) and brant 
(Branta bernicla). 
¢ Winter survey data complement data from the spring 
surveys for important but less abundant species such as 
the redhead (Aythya americana) and canvasback (A. 
valisineria). 
* It helps define the distribution and species composi- 
tion of wintering flocks. Long-term data give insight into 
changes in migration patterns and wintering areas. 
* Data are frequently used in land acquisition and 
refuge decisions. It can be argued that waterfowl use is a 
good indicator of the value of an area. 
+ Survey data support continuing research efforts by 
providing an indication of waterfowl distribution and 
relative abundance. 
+ Winter survey data are often used in the preparation 
of environmental impact assessments. 
The Mexican winter surveys began in the early 1950's 
and were run annually through 1965, with the exception 
of 1957. From 1965 through 1976, complete surveys were 
attempted only once every fifth year. Only black brant 
(Branta nigricans) habitat on the West Coast was sur- 
veyed every year. Survey coverage for 1977 included all 
major wintering areas in the United States and Mexico. 
Winter survey data appear in tables A-1, A-2, and A-3. 
The following are summaries of survey reports from the 
various flyways and Mexico. 

