WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND STUDIES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, 1953 
R. H. Mackay 
Canadian Wildlife Service 
Weather and Water Conditions 
An exceptionally mild winter in the interior of the Province left little moisture 
in the form of snow this spring, Water levels in creeks and potholes were considerably 
below normal in early May but good rains since that time have brought them up to 
average. Weather and water conditions were favourable to a successful hatch. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The spring aerial survey of the Cariboo, VUhilcotin, and Prince George areas, 
as in previous years, was again made by running random transects. The size of the 
sample was increased somewhat this year. Comparable total waterfowl population 
figures were obtained in the spring aerial survey of the Upper Columbia Valley. 
Results of these aerial surveys which are tabulated in the following tables, show a 
considerable increase in the numbers of waterfowl on the breeding grounds. Canada 
geese increased notably in numbers. 
Table I. - Spring Aerial Survey - Cariboo, Chilcotin, and Prince George Areas 
1950. 1951 1952 1953 
Square miles sampled 80,3 87.7 75.0 98.3 
Ducks per square mile acd 11.3 8.5 10.4 
Canada geese (total seen) 23 34 17 47 
Table II, - Aerial Survey - Columbia Valley 
1950 1951 1952 1953 
Ducks per square mile 19.9 10.1 12.0 19,5 
Canada geese per square mile 20.1 17.4 19.7 25.3 
Wanada peese 1,612 1,395 1,575 2,025 
Swan 2 10 1 1 
Mallard 773 402 445 576 
Baldpate 167 83 155 103 
Green-winged teal 24 - 14 - 
Blue-winged teal 83 7 1 - 
wanvas back 27 3 - 10 
Scaup 18 9 53 3 
Goldeneye 79 97 65 91 
Bufflehead 2 21 9 18 
Others 49 33 88 49 
Unidentified 376 135 130 705 

Total Ducks 1,598 790 960 1,555 
