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2. An intensive survey conducted frequently on a more restricted 
area within the same general region. 
Brood counts conducted along the extensive transects in 1953 indicated consider-~- 
ably less reproduction success than in 1952. The intensive study on the smaller area 
however indicated a slight increase in production. General observations conducted 
throughout the State indicate that waterfowl production in 1953 at best equalled and 
more likely was less than the previous year. 
A total of fifteen brood censuses conducted within the period July 3 to September 2 
along the'58-mile long transect used for intensive study, indicated that the peak of the 
waterfowl hatch in 1953 occurred about the middle of August. This is approximately 
3 to 4 weeks later than the peak as established in recent years. 
By classifying broods as to age and size and plotting their approximate location 
along this transect, a relatively accurate indication was obtained of the total production 
occurring within the sampled area. This method elimiinated a large part of the duplication 
encountered in the tally of broods and indicated a total production of 173 broods, or about 
12 broods per square mile, along the 1/4-mile wide transect. Table 1 V indicates the 
Species composition and average size of the broods located along this transect. 
A tally on July 16 revealed 157 water areas, totalling approximately 390 surface 
acres, along the census route. 
Detailed information regarding the total production along this route for previous 
years is not available. 
Summary 
Surveys disclosed that the 1953 breeding waterfowl population in North Dakota was 
approximately 20 percent greater than in 1952 and closely approximated the average 
population index for the previous five years. 
The indicated 20 percent increase probably should be tempered somewhat due to 
the different phenological conditions and the observers for the two years, 
Blue-winged teal, pintail and mallard again ranked well above the other ducks in 
the breeding waterfowl population, 
In relation to the previous 5-year index, the blue-winged teal, gadwall, baldpate 
and scaup displayed a favorable increase, whereas the pintail, shoveler and ruddy duck 
showed a significant decrease, There was also indicated a considerable reduction in 
the breeding coot population. The mallard, redhead and canvasback population approx- 
imated the previous 5-year average. 
At the onset of the breeding season water conditions were very favorable. 
The weather was very unfavorable during the first portion of the nesting season, 
resulting in a 3 to 4 week delay in the peak of the hatch. Mallards and pintails were 
particularly adversely affected and reproduction of these species in 1953 is believed 
to have been poor. 
