WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEYS OF SPECIAL STUDY AREAS 
IN ALBERTA - 1953 
Allen G. Smith 
Introduction 
The intensive ground study ar2as in Alberta were established with the following 
objectives in mind: (1 ) to determine the vegetative and other environmental charac- 
teristics of the waterfowl habitats in representative strata of the province; (2) to 
measure the effects of weather, fluctuating water levels, agricultural activities, ana 
predation on waterfowl; (3) to determine the density of waterfowl breeding populations 
on sample areas in both parklands and prairies, and (4) to record the seasonal move- 
ments of this population as well as its nesting success and brood survival and the 
factors affecting them. 
Description of the Areas 
A general description of the study areas including their soil characteristics and 
vegetative aspects was presented on pages 110-111 of Waterfowl Populations and 
Breeding Conditions Summer 1952, Special Scientific Report; Wildlife No. 21 and will 
not be repeated here. 
Methods and Personnel 
It was felt to be advisable, for several reasons, to re-number the study areas 
and to re-locate one of them this year. As a result Areal, formerly the Suffield- 
Jenner Area, has now been located between Brooks and Suffield. This study was 
conducted by Mr. Fred Sharpe, Ducks Unlimited (Canada). Because of illness he was 
unable to make more than one breeding pair count. Work on ArealIlI, the Strathmore 
study areas, was conducted by Mr. George Freeman, Ducks Unlimited (Canada). 
Weekly breeding pair and brood counts were made by him from April 25 through July 17. 
The Lousana-Elnora Study Area III was conducted by Messrs. Wayne Heuer, U. 5S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service and Jack Miller, Alberta Game Branch. These men were 
residing on the area and were able to make continuous observations here from May 4 
to August 6. AreaIV, the Vermilion study area was also under the continuous 
observations of Messrs. Harry Webster and Glen Smith, Canadian Wildlife Service. 
Aerial breeding pair and brood observations were made on all study areas by the writer. 
This same crew also took aerial photographs of all water areas in each study area during 
May. Aerial photographs were taken again in July when vegetation was at its height on 
Areas [I and 1V and portions of III. A defect in the aerial camera prevented the 
completion of this second photographic survey. However, the complete coverage in 
May was sufficient to serve our needs in mapping the physical characteristics of these 
habitats. Ground maps of the vegetation of Areas II, [II and 1V were made by the 
writer, 
Observational methods used on the study areas followed the pattern set in 1952 
except in the following cases. In order to establish a permanence and continuity to our 
water data from year to year, permanent bench marks were located in each pothole or 
lake for which water-level records are kept. On AreaIV, Mr. Webster used a young 
Brittany Spaniel’ in locating broods and nests. As the dog was being trained in this 
work, his efficiency increased as the season progressed. A further change was made 
