
CENTRAL FLYWAY 
The annual January waterfowl survey indicated that at the end of last 
season there was a slight decrease in ducks, a moderate decrease in geese, and 
a considerable decrease in coot in the Central Flyway as compared to the 
previous year. 
When the birds returned northward to the breeding grounds they 
encountered drought conditions in South Dakota, southern North Dakota, parts of 
Colorado and Wyoming, and a small area in Southern Alberta. However, water 
was more abundant than at any time during the past several years in northern 
North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Throughout the remainder of the 
Central Flyway breeding range water conditions were adequate. Phenologically, 
the season was somewhat earlier than average and definitely ahead of the late 
season of 1954. 
Asa result of the varying water conditions there was considerable 
shifting of breeding populations during the spring of 1955. Northern North 
Dakota, Southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, by reason of attractive habitat 
conditions, drew birds from the drought areas to the south, and appear to have 
caused birds to stop and nest which were enroute to breeding areas in Northern 
Alberta and the Northwest Territories. During May, June, and July, conditions 
for waterfowl production have been excellent in Saskatchewan, Southern 
Alberta, and northern North Dakota. Frequent rains have maintained water 
areas without causing undue losses. Rains during May and early June kept 
farming activity to a minimum in many areas and allowed the first nest of 
pintails and mallards to hatch successfully. Large numbers of young are being 
produced in these areas according to the July surveys. It is estimated that the 
increases here will much more than off-set losses which are forecast for 
Northern Alberta, Nebraska, and the Northwest Territories, and that there 
will be a considerable increase in the fall flight of ducks in the Central Flyway 
this fall. 
In view of the apparently favorable conditions in the Central Flyway 
breeding range of the Canada goose, it is estimated that production may make 
up some of the decreases recorded during the winter survey and that the fall 
flight of this species will be about the same as last year. 

Although the coot breeding population index in the Central Flyway 
decreased considerably this year, breeding ground surveys indicate that coot 
production has been excellent, and it is estimated that the fall flight of this 
species will be at least equal to 1954. 

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