Breeding Ground Surveys 
NORTHERN ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES 
(See pagell ) 
SOUTHERN ALBERTA 
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SASKATCHEWAN 
CENTRAL FLYWAY | 

—— 
Weather and Water Conditions: - Saskatchewan entered the 1953 
waterfowl breeding season with a moisture deficiency brought about by 
sub-normal fall and winter precipitation. 
However, a series of storms 
with lower than normal temperdtures boosted the available water supply 
and produced a fayorable water outlook over most of the Province, The i 
number of potholes or water areas recorded in May 1953 averaged 32,68 
per square mile, indicative of a 61 percent increase over 1952 anda - i 
63 percent increase over the average of 1950-1952 inclusive, ‘Above normal 
rainfall continued through June and July, . 
Breeding Population Indices - The duck breeding population of southern il 
Saskatchewan remained about the same as in 1952, an increase of 3 percent » 
being recorded. The number of breeding pairs, however, stood 67 percent 
higher than the average of recent years, 
Detailed indices obtained from aerial surveys were as follows; 
| Av. Index 
Species 1949-1952 
Mallard 496, 074 
Pintail 393,438 
B-w. Teal 85, 530 
G-w. Teal 11,404 
Gadwall 39, 904 
Baldpate 91, 232 
Shoveler 91,232 
Total Dabs, 1,208, 814 
Redhead 11, 404 
Canvasback 39,914 
Scaup 62,722 
Ringneck ~ 5,702 
Ruddy 11, 404 
Goldeneye 5, 702 
Bufflehead 5, 702 
Scoter 22, 808 
Total Divers 165,358 
Total Ducks 1,374,172 
Coot 66, 143 
1952 Index 
768, 103 
687, 150 
132, 705 
13,975 
54,689 
123,570 
170, 087 
1,950, 279 
18, 303 
81,448 
114, 900 
1,610 
18,435 
6,399 
2,742 
21,026 
264, 863 
2,215, 142 
69, 948 
26 
Indices to Total Breeding Pairs 
1953 Index 
979, 136 
667, 521 
66,722 
10, 616 
38,456 
92, 340 
127,555 
1,982, 346 
42,398 
126, 581 
104, 387 
200 
8, 734 
310 
4,357 
23,530 
310, 495 
2,292, 841 
151,733 - 
The coot index increased 129 percent. 
Percent Change 
of 1953 Index From 
Av. (a) . 1952 (b) | 
+ 97 _ +27 | 
+ 69 - § #1 
~ 28° * ‘= 98: 
- 7 es SE 
- 3 - 40 
+ -l - 33 
+ 39 ~ 33 
+ 64 ; + 2 
+271 +131 
+219 + 55 
+ 68 - 9 
- 96 - 76 
- 23 ~ 53 
-~ 94 ~ 95 
= 24 + 59 
+ 3 ' + 12 
+ 87 + 17 
+ 67 + 3 
+129 +118 - 
