PACIFIC FLYWAY 
ALBERTA 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
The 1954 waterfowl breeding season in southern Alberta was 
delayed about two weeks by a period of unseasonably low temperature 
accompanied by snow between April 19 and May 2. At that time » it 
appeared that the season might stand or fall on the record of a 
single hatch. 
Heavy snows in the parklands and northern prairies left water 
levels in all but the eastern areas in good condition to start the 
breeding season. Light snow and rain in the south (Stratum C) caused 
this area to be relatively dry when the birds moved in. General rains 
in May and. June in Strata A and B were sufficient to hold these to a 
normal rate of summer loss. In Stratum C, where water was badly needed, 
a continuing drought increased the usual rate of loss. By the end of 
the first week of July, one half of the below average number of water 
areas present in May had dried up. Drought conditions are continuing 
in Stratum C through the present writing (July 23). 
Table I.. Water Index as Determined by Aerial Transects-May ‘ant June 1954 
Stratum A Stratum B Stratum C Province 
| May July May July May July May July 

Ponds Observed — 5169 2827 4392 2895 615 329 10176 6096 
Ponds/Sq. Mile 19.6 10.9 23.2 15.7 7.6 3.8 16,1 11.4 
Percent Loss ~hh hy -32.5 -hg,2 -30.'/ 
A Provincial loss of 36.7 is slightly higher than the long- 
time average and results from the hot dry weather of July and the poor 
condition of the southern district. Nevertheless, present water 
conditions throughout the Province are adequate for waterfowl popula- 
tions present. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Table II presents the breeding population index figures which 
were collected during the May aerial survey. It will be noted that the 
breeding population may have increased slightly over the high level of 
last year. Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and gadwall increased 
considerably, while pintail registered a moderate decrease. 
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