PACIFIC FLYWA‘ 
Breeding Ground Surveys - 
NORTHERN ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES 
Weather and Water Conditions - The winter was more mild and open 
than usual due to the prevalence of southerly winds, The fair and dry weather 
continued in the spring until mid-June when frequent rains and poor flying 
weather developed. The season was at least a week early with water levels 
down but ample. : 
Breeding Populations - Six regions were sampled in a manner comparable 
to other years, On these the breeding population showed a decrease of 
17 percent from 1952. These data are shown as follows: 
Region Area Population Index (Prs, per sq. mile)* 
(Sq. Mile) 1951 1952 1953 Percent Change 
Lake Claire-« 
Athabaska 2,000 37,100 57,800 51,000 - 12 

Slave River Park 4,025 15,496 6,762 6,038 - ll 
Mackenzie Delta! 
(Wooded) 3, 600 48,060 58,860 48,600 - 17 
(Treeless) 1,600 23,300 11,280 24,000 +113 
Coastal Tundra 900 5,585 6,053 9,900 + 63 
Old Crow Flats 1,970 70,034 64,518 30,535 - 52 
Sub-Total 14,095 196,574 205,272 170,073 - 17 
Percent Change + 4 - 17 
* = Total ducks recorded 
2 = 

11 
