157 
Redhead, mallard, then cinnamon teal were the most abundant species of ducks 
counted on the survey. There was a large increase in the number of mallards as 
compared to previous years, Other species remained nearly the same as in previous 
years. 
Ground Counts 
Wounts of lone males, pairs, and lone females on State key census areas 
indicated that the potential breeding population had decreased on these areas 
Cinnamon teal showed a marked increase but other species such das Canada one 
continued to decline. 
Table III. - Estimate of Total Breeding Pairs on State Refuges from Dike Line 
Census -- 1953 
a  — 
Ogden Bay Farmington Bay Public Shooting Grounds 
Species 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 
Canada geese 118 114 25 62 32 21 
Mallard 325 267 125 84 200 99 
Gadwall 317 257 150 57 35 40 
Pintail 225 215 55 63 55 31 
VCinnamon teal 625 712 225 303 175 121 
Redhead 510 296 220 120 230 288 
Shoveler 63 121 63 69 25 33 
G-w. teal 2 2 ~ _ = od 
B-w. teal 22 6 4 5 3 2 
Ruddy 18 30 16 20 3 2 
Baldpate 2 l - - ~ - 
Total 2,227 2,021 883 783 758 637 
Brood Gounts 
General observations indicate a good survival on broods except for some of the 
earlier mallard broods. Canada geese brood survival was good on refuge areas 
counted. 
Summary 
1. The Utah Fish and Game Department continued and expanded the aerial 
breeding ground survey in Utah. This survey was supplemented by ground counts on 
State refuge and ground counts along aerial transect routes. 
2. Unseasonable cold weather and snow storms in the early spring were adverse 
to early nesting geese and ducks. The late nesting season was good with little high 
run-off water to flood nesting areas. 
3, The aerial census of 1953 covered 668 linear miles or 167 square miles. 
A total of 7,861 ducks were counted on these flights, or an average of 47,0 ducks per 
square mile. When the same sample areas were compared, there was an increase 
from 53.6 ducks per square mile to 59.2 ducks per Square mile. 
