The results of the survey showed some inaccuracies in the stratification and 
following statistical analysis, changes in the sampling plan may be required before 
the survey is justified as a basis for determining breeding populations, 
Ground Surveys 
_ Ground work on the Yukon Delta was started in 1949 and continued through 
this year. Adams devoted much of his time to observations on the nesting and 
hatching activities in the goose and brant grounds. Observations were made on 
clutch size, hatching success, brood sizes and factors of weather, predation, and 
diseases likely to affect production. : 
The Minto Lakes and Fort Yukon studies covered the entire season from the 
first egg laying to the flying stage with late season work devoted to banding. Sample 
air and ground counts over the same area were made to determine brzeding pairs 
and number of broods, 
The July-August work on the Copper River was devoted to determining 
production and to banding work. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
An early break-up occurred over most of Alaska. Light precipitation during 
the winter resulted in lower water stages over the interior drainages. High flood 
stages did not occur and water levels dropped consistently through the summer to 
levels lower than normal. Water area is not critical and since the lowered levels 
avert some nesting losses from flooding the waterfowl production was not adversely 
affected. The Lower Yukon and Copper River areas experienced a warm, storm- 
free nesting season, 
Breeding Population Trends 
The data obtained from the breeding ground aerial surveys is not comparable 
with previous years'work and accordingly is omitted here. Ground observations 
showed a reduction in waterfowl numbers on the Minto Lakes area but in other areas 
no significant changes over previous years were noted. At Minto, with greater effort, 
only 17 nests were located compared to 93 in 1952; drives to capture birds at 6 
locations showed only 130 birds compared to 603 in 1952. 
Table II. - Clutch Size, Alaska, 1951 and 1953 - Ground Surveys - Average Number 
i of Eggs per Nest and Number of Nests Observed 
Yukon Delta Minto Lakes Fort Yukon 
T9531 SCO«O'9S T95I—S—SC«SL'HS T1953 
Black Brant 3.5 (116) 3.9 (98) - ~ | - 
Cackling Goose 4.0( 97) 4.3 (55) - 7 = 
Baldpate - - 7.5 ( 2) 8 (1) 7.7 ( 3) 
Mallard es 5 8.6(5) 8 (1) 7.0( 1). 
Pintail - - 6.2 (14) 7 (2) 6.8 ( 9) 
Shoveler : Hs 8.3 ( 7) - 10.8 ( 5) 
Canvasback - - - 9.0( 1) - 8.9 (11) 
Lesser Scaup - - 8,4 (59) 8.5 (4) 9.5 (16) 

