23 
WATERFOWL BREEDING CONDITIONS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA - SUMMER 1950 
David A. Munro and R. H. Mackay 
Introduction 
During the summer of 1950 a party sponsored by the British Columbia Game 
Commission and the Department of Zoology of the University of British Columbia 
explored waterfowl habitat in the Stum Lake area, and for the third successive year 
continued banding activities in the Chilcotin and Cariboo regions. Robert H. Smith 
and C. H, Safranek, of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made aerial surveys of 
waterfowl habitat in the southern and central interior and on the southern coast of 
the Province. R. H. Mackay and D. A. Munro, of the Canadian Wildlife Service, 
made observations of waterfowl on previously established key areas in the Cariboo 
Parklands and Upper Columbia Valley, and in the Kamloops, Okanagan and Nicola 
regions, where key areas for taking comparative censuses are being selected. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
In 1949-50 British Columbia again experienced a long and severe winter with 
heavy snowfall in many areas. A cold and retarded spring was also recorded and as a 
consequence the annual run-off was considerably later than usual. In the interior of 
the Province on May 31 snow still lay at elevations above 3,000 feet, and lakes above 
4,000 feet were still frozen. The Fraser and Columbia Rivers were not in full flood 
until the latter part of June. 
Precipitation since early May had been considerably below normal. However, 
because of the heavy and protracted run-off, water levels had not appreciably declined. 
The dry weather probably benefited the survival of broods. 
Aerial Surveys 
R. H. Smith and D. A. Munro made, for the first time, aerial surveys of 
the Okanagan, Kamloops and Nicola areas and the Upper Columbia Valley. Because 
of the irregular nature of the terrain and the scattered disposition of waterfowl 
habitat, the former three areas are not considered to be suitable for taking regular 
aerial censuses. The reconnaissance of these areas was, however, of considerable 
interest and benefit. The Upper Columbia Valley lends itself well to aerial census. 
Figures approximating a total count, obtained on May 19, are given below: 
Upper Columbia Valley: 
Square miles sampled: Approximately 80 
Ducks per square mile: 19.9 
Canada geese per square mile: 20.1 
Canada goose 1612 Wood duck 1 
Swan Z Redhead 8 
Mallard 773 Canvasback ZT 
Pintail 2 Scaup 18 
Green-winged teal 24 Golden-eye 79 
Blue-winged teal 83 Bufflehead 2 
Baldpate 167 Others 37 
_ Shoveler 1 Unidentified 376 
