Summer water levels at Minto Lakes were higher this year than last. 
During the first 10 days of August the water dropped four inches, by September 7, 
the water level was down another 18 inches. During banding operations the water 
was clear but with heavy concentrations of green algae. 
Summer weather and water conditions on the Copper River Flats did not 
differ materially from the normal. 
Breeding Population Trends 
These data are presented in a series of tables for ready comparison with 
the results of previous years and to show the difference in species composition in 
the various waterfowl areas in Alaska. . 
From the Northwest Alaska surveys, Robert F. Scott concludes there have 
been no significant changes in any species comparing 1952 with 1951 - unlike last 
year when there was apparently a significant drop in pintails from 1950, 
Table II - Northwest Alaska - Species Composition in Percent of Identified Birds 
Upper Innoko Bottomlands Noatak Valley Kobuk Delta Selawik 
Total Tally 470 1,606 228 354 498 
Percent Identified 63 3 38 62 55 
All ducks 14 88 37 92 97 
All geese 84 9 56 7 1 
Unidentified geese 45 1 3 5 - 
Canada geese 22 8 8 2 1 
White -fronted geese 17 - 45 - - 
Swan 1 2 7 1 2 
Pintails 5 9 7 58 29 
Scaup 4 18 19 22 42 
All scoters Z 39 9 6 22 
Mallard l 5 - - 2 
Baldpate ] 4 - 1 3 
Goldeneye tr. 5 - - 7 
Old squaw - 6 - 3 - 
All eiders - - 2 — - 
Red-breasted ~ - - 1 - 
merganser 

Yukon-Ksukokwim Delta transects showed an increase in white -fronted 
and emperor geese and eider ducks in contrast to a drop in brant, pintails, scaup, 
scoter and old squaw ducks. Species composition for the main delta and for a new 
transect in a goose concentration is shown in Table III. 
