"' 
CENTRAL FLYWA¥ 
4 
Winter Trend Data - Central Flyway 
1, Survey conditions in the Central Flyway were generally good except for 
blizzard conditions inssome of the northern areas the second and third days’ 
‘of the inventory. Drought prevailed in portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and’ 
the east coast of Mexico, which seemed to affect the number of waterfowl 
wintering in these areas. In the northern States, the weather during the late 
fall and early winter was extremely. mild and there was more open water than. 
usual, 
2. Pe rcent Change in Central ‘Flyway (continental) Population Index Figures 
for Ducks, Geese, Swan, and coot from 1952:-to 1953 (comparable figures) | 


werea . | Ducks . Geese . Swan  —~ Coot | Total i 
Central Flyway States -15,8 + 30.0 -7,0 .~ 32.4 ~ 12,8 
Mexico «+ east coast +12.8 + 71,3 -: ~ 49,3 - 16,1 
Mexico - central — $29.2 51,2 +190.4 + 31.3. 
Total we 8.6 + 25.0 »« 7,0 « 43,2 ~ 11.5 
Pe. Species Composition - Central Flyway (continental*) 1952 and 1953 

(comparable coverage) 

; Percent of Birds Identified Percent Change 
Species eee 
1952 1953 1952-1953 
Mallard 22.2 26,9 ‘+ 1.9 
Pintail —— ' 16.4 21,3 + 8.8. 
Scaup 15,2 10,4 | ~ 43,4 
Redhead | «15,2 12.8 -  « 28,8 
Coot 13.8 9.3 » 43.2 
Snow Goose 2.9 5.2 + 52,] 
Greenewinged teal 2.6 Ls3 ~ 56,3 
Blue -winged teal 2.5 2.5 - 14,4 
Baldpate 1.9 2.2 2.0 
Canada goose 1,5 2.0 + 16,1 
Gadwall 1,3 1,5 - 4,7 
Shoveler 1,2 1.2 - 11.4 
Merganser 8 1.1 + 10,3 
White -fwonted goose ~6 1.0 + 28.9 
Blue goose 06 ol ~- 80.4 
Canvasback 4 5 + 4,0 
Tree duck 3 ce ~- 51,0 
Goldeneye 2 pts - 30,5 
Ring-necked duck 2 tr. ~ 75.4 
Ruddy duck wl 2 + 29.7 


* Includes Saskatchewan, Central Flyway States, Central Mexico, and 
East Coast of Mexico, 
alt 
