
139 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY - OREGON, 1955 
Chester E. Kebbe 
Introduction 
W aterfowl breeding ground surveys in Oregon were conducted in 
essentially the same manner as in previous years, Some of the samples were 
discontinued, however, due to lack of personnel or assignment of game agents 
to other game problems. 
Methods of Sampling 
All sampling work was by the pround transect method. No aerial 
transects were flown. Due to an insufficient number of personnel working on 
waterfowl no attempt has been made to record total breeding birds within the 
State nor compute the total State production. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Inclement spring weather over the major breeding grounds retarded 
duck nesting as much as three weeks. Canada geese which nest early came off 
on normal dates and prior to the unsettled spring weather. 
The large marshes of eastern Oregon, the major waterfowl production 
areas, continued todry up. Snowfall during winter of 1954 was very short, re- 
sulting in little run-off. Little moisture fell during the spring of 1955 despite the 
cold weather and almost continuous overcast. Most of the small lakes in Harney 
and Warner Valleys are now dry lake beds, 
Breeding Population Trends 
Although some counts are made of breeding pairs these are felt to be 
very inaccurate. As late as June 1, when broods of early nesters make their 
appearance there are still a number of migrants going through Oregon. This is 
especially noticeable in western Oregon where duck production is confined almost 
entirely to a few mallards and wood ducks. 
Success of the Season 
Canada goose production in the Klamath Basin shows a slight increase 
but elsewhere the production is down considerably. The downward trend in pro- 
duction indicated in the preliminary report is substantiated in the final check. 
