
153 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN NEVADA, 1955 
C. Vic Oglesby 
Introduction 
The waterfowl breeding ground survey conducted by the Nevada Fish 
and Game Commission in 1955 represents the fifth consecutive year of production 
studies in this State. 
This survey has been expanded throughout the five-year period to 
include the majority of waterfowl breeding habitat found mostly in west-central 
and northeastern Nevada. Other areas of the State are, for the most part, 
insignificant insofar as waterfowl production is concerned. More efficient 
coverage of all areas is anticipated with the progress of Nevada's newly established 
fish and game management districts. 
Because of severe drought conditions, comparative data is not available 
for some areas included in last year's survey. 
All field work was carriedon by Pittman-Robertson personnel of the 
Nevada Fish and Game Commission with LeRoy Giles, U. S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service biologist, contributing data for the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area, 
Methods 
Procedure for studies made this year did not vary from the pattern 
established in the past, that is, all key sample areas are checked either by boat, 
car or on foot at least two or three times during the period. To date, no aerial 
transects have been established to estimate breeding pairs. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Available water in all trend areas was drastically reduced due toa 
poor winter snow pack. Water supplies for west-central Nevada were about 70 
percent of normal and were considerably less than this in the northeastern 
section of the State. 
Because of drought conditions in northern Nevada, the Humboldt- 
Toulon Sink and Franklin Lake contributed little or nothing to this year's production. 
Both of these areas are very pood producers when water conditions are near 
normal, 
Wind, rain and snow continued throughout May and early June and 
delayed nesting activities in most sections. 
