
33 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEYS OF SPECIAL 
STUDY AREAS IN ALBERTA - 1955 
Allen G. Smith 
Introduction 
The intensive ground study areas in Alberta were established with 
the following objectives in mind: (1) the evaluation of aerial methods, and (2) 
a continuation of the population dynamics studies for the purpose of obtaining a 
better understanding of the factors affecting waterfowl production. 
Description of the Areas 
A general description of the study areas including their soil character- 
istics and vegetative aspects was included in Waterfowl Populations and Breeding 
Conditions, Summer 1952, Wildlife No. 21, and will not be repeated in this report. 
Personnel and Methods 
The four study areas established in 1953 were the subject of further 
study in 1955, The areas and the biologists assigned to each are listed below: 
Area 1 - Brooks to Suffield (bald prairie) - Fred Sharp, Ducks Unlimited 
(Canada) 
Area 2 - Calgary-Strathmore (cultivated prairie) - George Freeman, 
Ducks Unlimited (Canada) 
Area 3 - Lousana-Elnora (dense parkland - lightly grazed and/or cultivated) - 
Kenneth Diem, U. S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and John Stelfox, 
Alberta Game Branch. 
Area 4 - Vermilion (dense to open parkland, moderate to heavy use for 
grazing and grain crops) ~ Harry Webster, Robert Harris and 
Ralph Orvis, Canadian Wildlife Service. 
Aerial surveys of all study areas were made by G. H. Jensen and 
Allen G. Smith. 
The data contained in this report is a summarized compilation of the 
field work of the ground crews listed above. Without the fine cooperation and hard 
work of these men our ground studies would have been impossible. The biologists 
assigned to Areas III and IV were resident on the areas in question, while the 
biologists working on Areas 1 and II made periodic visits to the areas as necessary 
for gathering breeding pair, nesting and brood information. Due to the drought 
conditions in southern Alberta this summer, no ground studies were necessary on 
