Mississippi Flyway 
The mid-winter survey in the Mississippi Flyway resulted in an index 
figure for ducks which was 32 percent: above 1952, Noticeable increase were 
recorded for mallard, green-winged teal, black duck, baldpate and redhead; 
while decreases were recorded for pintail, gadwall, ringneck and ruddy, The 
goose index increased somewhat, the increase being due to the blue goose, 
The coot index decreased to the lowest point that it has been in several years. 
On the breeding grounds that supply the Mississippi Flyway, field 
surveys during May revealed about the same picture. The counts of breeding 
pairs were higher in Ontario, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan 
and Indiana, They were about the same or slightly higher in Manitoba, 
Saskatchewan, Iowa and Ohio. When considering the fact that the breeding 
population in this region was better than normal in 1952, this means that the 
start of the 1953 season found the waterfowl population in very good condition, 
Upon reaching the breeding grounds the birds found weather and water 
conditions which were not entirely to their liking. The winter had been warm 
and dry with little spring runoff in most areas, Drought prevailed early in the 
season, particularly in southwestern Manitoba, This was followed during May, 
June and July by excessive rains and cold weather, Although water soon 
reached a favorable level, which was maintained throughout the summer in the 
northern areas, the period of rising levels and cold weather apparently 
destroyed many nests and retarded the nesting season from 10 days in some 
areas to as much as a month in others, 
As mentioned in the Central Flyway Summary, ina normal year the peak 
of brood production occurs in July prior to the time that the results of the field 
surveys must be forwarded to Washington for consideration of the Regulations 
Committee, This year production had hardly begun in many of the important 
northern areas before termination of the field surveys on July 27. The July 
field work revealed an unprecedented number of lone drakes and paired birds 
Scattered throughout the nesting areas, indicating that additional nesting was 
underway or could be expected. At the present writing, however, there is no 
means of predicting the size of the late hatch except as evidenced by the fact 
that weather and water conditions are favorable, | 
Little information is available regarding geese except that the colonies 
of snow and blue geese on Southampton Island in northern Hudson Bay are 
reported to be enjoying a successful season. 
Coot production increased in Manitoba and Saskatchewan this year, 
Over-all, it is anticipated that the fall flight of ducks in the Mississippi 
Flyway this year will show a small decrease, while the flight of geese will 
remain about the same, and coot will increase somewhat, 
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