Snipe were first observed in the valley during mid-April, but the 
greatest influx of birds was recorded during the first week of May. 
The first rail was seen on May 18, with the peak flight occurring early 
in June. 
Winnowing flights of snipe were observed during May, June, and 
July, the peak of activity being in June. Those winnowing flights 
during the early mornings were recorded in conjunction with waterfowl 
brood-counts. Territorial snipe and rails listed in Table 2h were 
flushed as the observer walked through the study areas in search of 
waterfowl. Snipe or rails seen repeatedly in particular locations 
were recorded as territorial birds. 
A snipe nest was found on June 5, and considerable numbers of 
young birds were seen during the breeding season. In August and early 
September snipe from individual breeding areas assembled in flocks of 
20 to 60 birds in preparation for the fall migration. 
A breeding population of 20 snipe and 12 rails (Table 2h) were 
observed on the 10 study areas which constituted a randomized 10 percent 
sample of the Yampa River Valley. Projection of these figures indicates 
a total breeding population of 200 snipe and 120 rails in the valley. 
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