haleRFOWL PRODUCTIVITY Ih Tit! MEWDALE - ERICKSON DISTRICT OF MANITOBA 
Wiillam H, Kiel, Jr. 
This 15 a9 progress report of a preject designed to study waterfowl produc- 
tivity in Manitoba's Inveatory District Ho. &@ (the district characterized by 
the Newdale-Ericksen soil types--commonly known as the northern black soila of 
Manitoba). Within this district of 4,134 squars miles is found soms of tha 
best pothels country in Manitoba, [S52 map in Manitoba report end Figurs 1.} 
The @eneral purpose: of the project is to evaluates the waterfowl production 
in this pothole country with added emphasis being placed on developing methods 
of predicting production at an sarly dats, 
Procedure 
Sampling 
Derinning April 21, twelve transects, gach includ@ing 100 potholes, ware 
laid gut in representative sections of the Newdsle-Erickson district. Two 
factors wera considered in selecting the transect arsas: {1} foads passeble 
under most weather conditions, and (2) dispersal so as to include ths various 
etypes of pothole habitat found within the district. For example, ths country 
around Minnedesa is for the most part open prairie with little cover in the form 
of willow or aspen around potholes, In the southwest corner of the district, 
near firrow River, & larg? percentages of the potholes sare rimmed by a heavy 
erowth of willow and aspen. Along the northern border, near Riding Mountsin 
National Park, the size of water areas increases greatly. 
Qnly rotholes within g ons-sighth mile strip on ¢ach sids of the road 
were counted as being on the transact. <A pothole was defired as any water 
area, excluding streams, having an intermediate or permanent water rating and 
being under 10 acres in sizs. Temporary field puddles were not ineluded. Ths 
tuelye transscts maks up & 50.4-square-mile sample. Their ranges in arse from 
2,25 square miles sach reflacts the density of potholes alone the respective 
transects. OF the 1,200 potholes, 10 water areas out of every 100 were selected 
at random ta ba studied intensively, 
Co¥veraes 
During the breeding season, four complete coversres of all transects were 
med? to cethsr bresding-population and brood data. The 120 snecial study potholes 
wears theeced an additional two or thres times. 
In the #arly spring, wher vagetation was low, on? person making a ragular 
transect chetk could cever an avyeracs of ene and a helf transects per day. Later 
in’ tes sangon, however, Vegetation choked many of ths potholes, and considerable 
time was spent in spotting the ducks; hence progress was sloyved to not more than 
one transect per day. 
After July, time was devoted to tover-mapping potholes, checking water 
Fauges, and meking late-season brood observetions, 
7b 
