23 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN ALBERTA - 1953 
Allen G. Smith and G. H. Jensen - 
The 1953 Alberta waterfowl survey was conducted with the following objectives 
in mind: (1) to evaluate the waterfowl breeding ground conditions in southern and 
central Alberta south of 54° N; (2) to appraise the waterfowl breeding populations and 
their species composition in this area; (3) to evaluate the production of this population; 
(4) to conduct a series of intensive ground studies in representative vegetative stratum 
for the purpose of gathering more detailed information relative to seasonal and weekly 
movements of waterfowl populations, species compoSition, nesting progress and 
success, production, and the influence of weather, agricultural practices, disease and 
predation on the populations under study; and (5) to band as many waterfowl (juveniles 
preferred) as possible for the purpose of gathering further data on the migrations of 
and the hunting pressures applied to the various species involved. 
Aerial breeding population surveys were conducted with a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, 
piloted by G. H. Jensen with James Kelly, U. S, Fish and Wildlife Service, as observer. 
Production surveys were flown by G. H. Jensen with Allen G. Smith as observer. Five 
‘ intensive ground study areas were established at the beginning of the season. Area 1 
(Brooks -Suffield district) in Stratum A was under the observation of Mr. Fred Sharp, 
Ducks Unlimited (Canada). An operation in early summer caused the curtailment of 
Mr. Sharp's work on this area to a minimum. Detailed waterfowl studies on Area 2 
(Strathmore district) also in Stratum A were conducted by Mr. George Freeman, 
Ducks Unlimited (Canada), throughout the season. Area 3 (Elnora-Lousana district) in 
Stratum B was nearly doubled in size this year to off-set the neei to abandon Area 4 
(Big Valley) where an oil discovery resulted in too much human interference. This 
area was under continuous study by Messrs. Wayne H. Heuer, U. S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service and Jack Miller, Alberta Game Branch. Area 5 (Vermilion-Wainwright district) 
in Stratum B was under continuous study by Messrs. Harry Webster and Glen Smith of the 
Canadian Wildlife Service. 
During July and August a banding crew operated throughout the Province in spite 
of serious handicaps caused by excessively wet weather. The banding crew was composed 
of Messrs. G. H. Jensen, Kenard Baer, James Birch, and James Kelly of the U. S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service and Dennis Weisser of the Alberta Game Branch. 
The substantial increase in personnel and equipment allotted to the Alberta Surveys 
this year from the Dominion and Alberta Governments and Ducks Unlimited (Canada) have 
made possible a more successfully integrated program than has ever been possible before. 
A cooperative program has grown up for which the greatest appreciation is due both the 
private and governmental agencies involved as well as the individuals composing the 
various crews, 
Survey Methods 
As in 1952, breeding population and production indices were obtained solely by 
means of aerial surveys. Methods of observation were the same as outlined last year in 
Waterfowl Populations and Breeding Conditions Summer 1952, Special Scientific Report: 
Wildlife No. 21. Additional information as to coot population densities was added in 1953, 
