90 




These conditions resulted in the destruction of cattail stands 
already thinned by high waters of 1954. Some stands remained on the eastern 
half of the marsh where cattail exhibits a vigorous growth habit. Dense 
phragmites stands were thinned considerably in certain localities by mid-August. 
Stands of hard-stern bulrush remained relatively unchanged. Extensive areas 
of new marsh were annexed from the farm land to the south where dense stands 
of cattail and soft-stemmed bulrush formed the initial succession stage. 
[ arrived at Delta too late to assess the impact of these changes on 
the nesting waterfowl but the usefulness of the area to molting ducks was 
apparently increased. The newly flooded lands and extensive "beaches" of 
broken and uprooted vegetation provided ideal loafing sites. 
Population Trends 
Table [. gives an estimate of the total waterfowl population of the 
Delta Marsh on successive aerial surveys in 1955. The totals are broken down 
into estimates for the area surveyed for the first time in 1955 (Transects 1 and 2) 
and for the original area before expansion (Transects 3 to 9). The first four 
surveys do not include the area sampled by Transects 1 and 2. They are subject 
to further correction as a result of a misunderstanding concerning transect 
location. 
Table I. - Delta Marsh Waterfowl Population Trends - 1955. 
Date Trans. 1 and 2 Trans. 3-9 Total Waterfowl 
5/31 2 4,920 * 4,920: * 
6/20 - 15,552 * 15,552 * 
6/25 : 8,040 * 8,040 * 
6/29 : 10,584 * 10,584 * 
7/5 1,578 11, 182 12, 760 
7/13 1, 256 15,112 16, 368 
7/20 1,936 17, 384 19, 320 
7/26 2,408 25,200 27,608 
8/5 4,744 29,616 34, 360 
8/10 16, 168 34,176 50, 344 
8/17 12,936 38,792 51,728 
8/28 20,656 23,616 44,272 
gy a SS 
* Subject to correction 
