27 
Ground Survey - Okanagan, Kamloops and Nicola Areas 
Extensive observations of waterfowl and waterfowl habitat have been made by 
D. A. Munro in the Okanagan Valley and on range-land areas in the vicinity of Kamloops, 
Merritt and Aspen Grove. One of the main objects of this work has been to furnish a 
basis for selecting a series of key lakes to be used for regular censuses in the future. 
General data on waterfowl life histories have been gathered, 
Early broods seen in these areas were as follows: mallard, (3 weeks old), 
June 6; pintail, June 8; Barrow's golden-eye, June 8. Late broods noted were of 
blue-winged teal (4 weeks old) on September 5, and of ruddy duck (3 weeks old) on 
September 7. 
Brood Survival 
Brood counts made by D. A. Munro and R. H. Mackay in all parts of the 
southern interior of the Province are summarized below. The bracketed figure refers 
to number of broods counted. The data referring to blue-winged teal may include some 
cinnamon teal. 
Brood Averages 
Species 0-1 week 1-4 weeks All broods 
Canada geese 4,3 (13) 5.4 (15) 4.9 (28) 
: 8 weeks- 
Species O-l week 1-8 weeks full grown All broods 
Mallard 8.4 (5) 7.6(35) 6.7(10) 7.5 (50) 
Gadwall --- 5.0( 1) ~-- 5.0( 1) 
Pintail 8.0 (2) 6.2 (20) <a 6.3 (22) 
Green-winged teal --- 8.7( 7) 8.0( 1) 8.6 ( 8) 
Blue-winged teal 7.1 (3) 8.0 (15) 8.0( 2) 7.9 (20) 
Baldpate 8.0 (2) 7.4 (28) 7.0( 1) 7.6 (31) 
Shoveler 8.5 (2) 5.2( 5) --- 6.1 ( 7) 
Redhead 7.0 (4) 6.3908) -& 5.7 (17) 
Canvasback --- 8.7( 4) --- 8.7 ( 4) 
Lesser scaup 11.3 (13) 6.5 (17) 6.4( 5) 8.3 (35) 
Barrow's golden-eye 7,2(10) 6,4 (67) 5,3 (10) 6.5 (87) 
Bufflehead . 6.5 (24) 7.0( 3) 6.6 (27) 
Ruddy duck 7.3( 9) 5.0 (21) --- _ 5.7 (30) 
American coot 4.3( 7) 5. 1-(40) --- 5.0 (47) 
Brood averages as given above appear to be highly satisfactory, particularly 
those of mallard, baldpate, green-winged teal, and blue-winged teal. The high average 
for newly-hatched broods of lesser scaup duck reflects the inclusion in the average of 
2 broods of 15, and of a group of 64 young accompanying 4 females. 
Summary 
Weather and water conditions have been particularly favourable for waterfowl 
production in British Columbia in 1950. While the results of certain spring censuses 
appeared to be contradictory, it seems likely that, since those indicating a decrease 
were taken further north or at greater elevation than those indicating an increase, the 
spring migration was slower than usual and thus complicated the analysis of population 
figures. Population data obtained in the summer suggest little change in most species 
in relation to 1949. The increase in blue-winged teal reported in 1949 has probably 
