106 

COOPERATIVE WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN 
ONTARIO, NORTHERN MANITOBA, AND NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN 
1955 
Edward G. Wellein 
Introduction 
This report covers the aerial survey work accomplished during the 
summer of 1955 in the Provinces of Ontario, Northern Manitoba, and Northern 
Saskatchewan, The habitat involved in this survey is, generally speaking, of a 
low waterfowl breeding population density when compared to the prairie pothole 
region. This habitat is so extensive, however, that in the aggregate it contributes 
very materially to the total continental waterfowl population, and therefore, must 
be considered in the evaluation of the population and the success thereof, To 
expedite and organize the survey work the habitat has been divided into strata or 
sampling zones. Stratum C is described as the closed forest zone and extends over 
the three Provinces involved. Stratum D is, specifically, the Saskatchewan River 
delta, which is located both in Manitoba and Saskatchewan River delta, which is 
located both in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Stratum E is the open forest tundra 
zone, which also extends through all three Provinces. The sampling intensity and 
location of the transect were reorganized this year on the basis of variability test, 
and therefore differ somewhat from 1954. 
The primary objective of the survey this year, as in the past, was 
the collection of quantitative data on waterfowl breeding populations during May for 
use by the Waterfowl Regulations Committees of Canada and the United States in 
determining waterfowl regulations. Another objective was to attempt to measure 
the success of the breeding population by conducting an aerial brood survey during 
the month of July. Consequently, the survey work was divided into two parts--the 
breeding pair survey, which was conducted during July. 
The May survey of breeding pairs was started May 8 and completed 
on May 28. One survey crew of Messrs. Wellein and Newcomb worked northern 
Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, and Ontario as far east as Kapuskasing. A 
second crew, Messrs. Glover and Hansen, in Grumman Widgeon N-744, covered 
eastern Ontario (380 square miles of transect). Although the sampling pattern 
was reorganized this year it was quite similar to that of 1954. However, the 
survey area was worked from west to east instead of east to west as in 1954, 
This procedure was found to be far more satisfactory from an operational stand- 
point. As a result of Ontario being worked last, less difficulty was experienced 
with wet unserviceable airfields, and, as usual, the country opened up earlier on 
the western side of the survey area, 
The July survey was begun July 4 and completed on July 25. Two 
aircraft were also used on this portion of the survey. The Widgeon, manned by 
Ross Hansen and Al Noltemeier, accounted for a coverage of 130.5 square miles 
