AERIAL WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND EXPLURATIONS IN SECTIONS OF 
THE FAR NORTH 
Edward G. Wellein and Wesley Newcomb . 
Introduction 
Aerial exploration surveys of the waterfowl breeding range in the Far North 
were conducted again this summer as part of the over-all Continental breeding 
pround survey program. The survey work, for the most part, was confined to the 
north central Arctic, but as is always the case, the range of the survey was limited 
by location and availaoility of gasoline supplies and by the cruising range of the 
aircraft. In peneral, an attempt was made to cover areas which had not been 
previously surveyed, although known concentration areas of peese were covered 
again to obtain data for comparative purposes. 
The primary objective of the survey was to gather quantitative data on the 
distribution and the magnitude of the breeding population of ducks and geese in 
sections of the Arctic, together with information on breeding conditions. The 
accumulation of these data in the Far North over a period of years will make it 
possivle to catalogue the important breeding areas for ducks and geese as well as 
those areas which are unproductive. From this information it may be possible to 
devise a sampling system which is physically as well as economically practicable. 
Information on other species of wildlife was also recorded and is discussed under 
Incidental Observations. 
The survey this year was flown in Grumman Goose N 778, which is owned by 
the U. S. Fish and Wililife Service. Edward G. Wellein and Wesley Newcomb of 
the Fish and Wildlife Service acted as pilot and observer respectively. Altogether, 
approximately 75 hours and 10,000 miles were flown on the survey. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
"Summer'' was later in the Arctic this year than it was in 1952, although it was 
about normal; last year the phenological propression of the season was much advanced, 
In early July this year ice was more prevalent in the larger inland lakes than it was in 
1952. However, the season was not nearly as retarded as that of the summer of 1950, 
Strangely enough, pack ice was non-existent between Southampton Island ana Chester- 
field Inlet this year, whereas in 1952 this area was a continuous flow of ice, Baker 
Lake, for the most part, was still covered with ice on July 12 and water landings were 
possible only in an open area in front of the Post. . 
Waterfowl Populations Observed 

During the survey flights, information on waterfowl was recorded ona 1/4-mile 
transect basis. Other information of an unusual or useful nature was also recorded 
and observations were not limited to only the transect, Table 1 shows the waterfowl 
density observed on the various flights. For the location of these transects, refer to 
the accompanying map. 
