
In addition to the waterfowl areas flown in 1949, reconnaissance transects 
were flown in the Minto Lakes area and on the north coast of the Seward Peninsula, 
The 1950 surveys were the most extensive waterfowl surveys ever made in Alaska 
and yet there are vast areas with both high and low waterfowl populations that were 
untouched. The Copper River and Fort Yukon flats, as well as hundreds of small 
river delta areas on the coast, should be included in future years. 
Innoko, Lower Yukon and Kotzebue Sound 
These areas were covered by Scott piloting a Stinson Station Wagon on floats 
which cruised at 90 - 100 miles per hour. The Seward Peninsula transects were flown 
in a Stinson AT - 19 on wheels, with Baker as pilot. A total of 50 hours flying time 
was expended. 
Lower Yukon and Kuskokwim Delta 
Spencer, Chatelain, and Kelly covered the lower Yukon - Kuskokwim Delta 
using a Grumman Widgeon cruising 105 - 115 miles per hour. 
Arctic Coast, Minto Lakes 
Woolford, with Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson as observer, flew the transects in 
these areas using the L-1 Stinson on floats. 
The spring break-up in 1950 was near normal but two weeks earlier than 
in 1949. The lower Yukon Valley maintained water levels lower than in the two 
preceding years and consequently many large nesting areas were undisturbed by high © 
water. Mild weather prevailed during the summer. No severe storms were reported 
on the important coastal nesting areas. 
The data from aerial transects show no significant change in the number of 
waterfowl from 1949. No abnormal factors are known to have affected the nesting 
season and observations on number and size of broods indicate no change from normal 
years. Brood counts were limited to observations made during banding operations 
on the Hooper - Hazen areas on the Yukon Delta. 
