135 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND -SURVEYS IN UTAH - 1950 
% r 
Aerial Transects 
The Utah State Fish and Game Department initiated an aerial survey of the 
breeding grounds of northern Utah in 1950 in an effort to more accurately determine 
trends in the breeding population. Only a limited number of miles of transect were 
flown in 1950 but it is hoped to extend this coverage in 1951. These same transects 
will be flown on the same lines each year by using well-defined landmarks. No attempt 
was made to break the count down by species because sudden large concentrations of 
ducks were encountered. The breakdown by species was obtained from ground counts 
made on refuges which were along the flight lines. 
A total of 164 miles were flown in Weber, Box Elder, and Cache Counties. 
No flights were made on the breeding areas south of Ogden Bay, but these areas will 
be flown next year. A total of 1,070 ducks were counted along eighty-two miles flown 
in Weber and South Box Elder Counties. This would represent an average of 51 birds 
per square mile in this area. A total of 178 birds were counted along (82) miles flown 
in Cache and northern Box Elder Counties. This would represent an average of 2.1 
birds per square mile in this area. | 
Ground Counts 
Counts were made of breeding pairs on three State refuge areas by driving a 
car along the dike lines. All birds which could be readily identified were counted. The 
percent of the area covered was tabulated and the count applied to the whole of the refuge 
area. A comparison of the count with that of 1949 showed a marked decline on all areas 
(see Table 1.) . 
Table 1. -- Total Breeding Pairs of Three State Refuges from Dike Line Census -- 
1949 and. 1950 | Sond eae 


Ogden Bay Farmington Bay Public Shooting Grounds 
Species _ 1949 1950 1949 1950 1949 1950 
Canada goose 202 115 65 65 41 28 
Mallard 520° 245 111 105 160 135 
Gadwall 735 255 43 83 98 75 
Pintail : 412 230 82 55. 213 65 
Cinnamon teal 674 350 j 183... 175 . 169 180 
Redhead : 872 375 327 150 526 245. 
Shoveler 312 175 38 47 47 25 
Green-winged teal - 2 - - - - 
Blue-winged teal - 8 -: 2 - 5 
Ruddy 18 15 10 7 - - 
Baldpate = es, . 1. at Pied ee a - = 

Total .. --«-33746 «1771 ~i(ssCé859 O89. =i 254758 
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Nesting Studies 
Nesting studies at Ogden Bay showed a large increase in the number of eggs 
taken by predator, The predation by the ‘California gull increased from 11.5 percent of 
all eggs in 1949 to 22.1 percent of all eggs in 1950. The skunk predation of 4.8 percent 
