
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
Winter Trend Data - Mississippi Flyway 
EP PE SOY 
In the Mississippi Flyway during the past several years there is little 
question but that changing conditions at the time of the annual winter survey 
have affected the population trend data. When the lower Mississippi Valley 
is dry the birds tend to concentrate on rivers and reservoirs, where they are 
easily seen. When the river bottoms flood, as they usually do some time 
during late fall or early winter, ducks, particularly mallards, are attracted 
into the bottoms to feed. Suitable techniques for censusing the birds when 
they are in the bottoms have not been developed. In 1951, the bottoms were 
flooded but frozen during the survey period, a condition which forced the 
birds into the open where they could be counted. In 1952, the bottoms were 
flooded, and it is probable that the decrease in mallards observed that year 
resulted from not being able to find the birds, and not that a decrease in 
population occurred. In 1953, 1954 and 1955 a drought condition existed and 
the bottoms were not flogded at the time of the survey. Asa result the birds 
were in the open and could be counted. It is probable that the winter survey 
data have been roughly comparable for the past three years. 
During the survey period, field crews met with generally favorable 
conditions for making the survey. Only in Louisiana were conditions described 
as being average. 
Percent Change in Mississippi Flyway (Continental) Population Index Figures 
for Ducks, Geese, Swan and Coot from January 1954 to January 1955 

Area Ducks Geese Swan Coot Total 
Ontario - 13 - - - 96 - 12 
Mississippi Flyway States - 1 - 13 - 99 + 8 - 2 
Total - dl - 13 - 99 + 7 - 2 
55 
