



180 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN NORTH DAKOTA 
I. G. Bue and B. Fashinghauer 
Introduction 
This represents the eighth year that state-wide waterfowl surveys 
have been conducted in North Dakota. In addition to the breeding pair survey, 
seven brood runs, each averaging about 30 miles were run every seven to 10 
days. Previous to this, only one check run for breeding success had been made. 
The census work was carried out by personnel of the Pittman- 
Robertson Division of the State Game and Fish Department. 
Spring Migration 
Migrating waterfowl reached North Dakota early with small flocks of 
pintails and Canada geese reaching the southeastern part of the State about March 
9. The peak of migration occurred near mid-April. 
Large numbers of diving ducks were present by the third week in 
April. Scaup were present in large number until the middle of May which is one 
to two weeks later than usual. 
Several species such as blue-winged teal, ruddy ducks, shoveler 
and gadwall appeared on the scene earlier than in other years. 
The movement of snow and blue geese was heavier between April 8 
and 13 with white-fronts appearing a few days later. In the Devils Lake region 
the goose concentration reached an estimated 150,000 birds during the latter 
part of April. 
Water Conditions 
Water conditions in the southern one-half of the State were poor as 
drought conditions caused many of the smaller areas to be dry. Conditions in the 
northern one-half of the State were much better as rains of the previous fall and 
melting snows had filled most of the pothole areas. Table I gives a comparison 
of water conditions with previous years. 
Water conditions for the State as a whole were better than in 1954 
but were below the 1950 to 1954 average. 
