


ATLANTIC FLYWAY 
Breeding Ground Surveys 
QUEBEC AND LABRADOR 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
The season appeared to be ahead by a week or more in southern and 
western Ontario as compared with last year. Ice went out of Chibougamau Lake 
on May 3 this year as compared to the usual middle of May. However, in 
higher reaches of the Laurentians, the season was retarded. Ice was present 
in the larger lakes on June 2 in the Ashuanipi area and was not out until the 7th 
of June. West of Ashuanipi and Knob Lake most of the lakes were free at the time 
mentioned above. . 
The Canada goose and duck nesting areas south of James Bay and in 
western Quebec were very dry. Several forest fires were noted and muskegs 
showed little water. Many lakes were down an estimated three to five feet. The 
Bagotville area, on the other hand, as well as local areas in eastern Quebec and 
Labrador had very heavy winter snows and plenty of moisture. 
Weather conditions were extremely hot and dry throughout the area. 
June was the hottest and driest on record in the Kapuskasing area. Forest fires 
in Ontario were the worst in years as far as this time of year was concerned. 
Fires were going in May and continued outbreaks of new ones have kept up all 
summer. At different intervals the forests were closed to tourist travel in both 
Ontario and Quebec. In Quebec and Labrador fire conditions were bad during the 
period. This summer several areas in the Open Boreal and Forest Tundra strata 
were burned over. These burns extended in all directions as far as the eye could 
see. 
Water levels in most of the lakes, ponds, rivers, streams,. marshes 
and muskegs were down. Generally it varies, as to degree, as to particular 
locations. The Laurentians were holding up fairly well, with Western Quebec 
down by a marked degree. Areas east of Knob Lake were down by five feet or 
more in the larger lakes, and muskegs were very dry. Although water conditions 
were not good, most areas appeared to have sufficient remaining water for 
waterfowl needs. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
In comparing 1955 data to last year's, noticeable declines can be seen 
‘ in all species except the scaup. The general decline may be due to a late season 
in the eastern portions of Quebec and Labrador where apparently, at the time of 
the survey, the breeding population had not yet arrived. Very little of the 
western Quebec area above 52° of latitude was surveyed. Many birds may have 
been in that area as a result of the eastern area being slow in breaking up. 
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