Breeding Population Indices - 
Alchough a systematic aerial sampling of the counties consaining 
the major portion of the sandhill breeding ground was established this 
year, ground counts established in 1948 give the only trend information 
available. 
Table I - Breeding Population Ground Counts 
Computed Pairs per Total Ducks per 
Routes and Dates Pairs* Sq. Mi. Ducks Sq. Mile 
Mid-May 
Western (A & B only) 
1954 318 12,°5 639 Pe ae 
1953 18.9 34.2 
Change to 1954 - 34% - 26% 
Mid-June 
Western (A, B & D) 
1954 332 10.6 594 18.9 
1953 12h1 | 18.5 
Change to 1954 - 12% + 2% 
1948-53 Average L657 30.6 
Change to 1954 ~ 37% - 38% 
Change (A & B only) 
May to June, 1954 - 17% - 31% 
Eastern 
1954 23 4.9 33 7.0 
1953 10.3 12.9 
Change to 1954 - 52% - 46% 
* Assuming lone males to be territorial and to represent a pair. 
It is apparent from the ground counts that the waterfowl breeding 
population of the sandhills is down from that of 1953. The major portion 
of this loss occurrs in the eastern area with the western loss being 
relatively insignificant. It is possible that these losses bear a direct 
relationship with the losses in available habitat. 
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