Table V - Copper River Flats Species Composition in Percent of Identified Birds 
Gulf of Alaska 

Total Tally 950 
Percent Identified 90 
Canada geese 36 
Swan 3 
Pintail 13 
Mallard 15 
Baldpate 7 
Green-winged teal 1 
. Shoveler 7 
Scaup 15 
Scoter 3 

The problem of adequately sampling the waterfowl habitat in Alaska has not 
yet been resolved. Many of the nesting concentrations occurs on relatively small 
areas with large blanks between. Some large, fairly homogeneous areas exist, such 
as the Arctic Shelf and some of the tundra areas but these support a sparse waterfowl 
population. Even the so-called blank areas require a reconnaissance survey to 
determine how "blank" they actually are and the extent to which discontinuous pockets 
of waterfowl habitat exist within them. Mr. Crissey of the Central Office and Messrs. 
Scott, Buckley and Spencer of the Regional Office have all considered the problem of 
adequate sampling to measure-the population trend. Time of day, light conditions and 
experience of the observer are important factors in recording species composition, 
Scaup are so easily recognized from the air that numbers of this species probably are 
disproportionately high among the identified ducks, Lensink's Innoko report (Federal 
Aid Quarterly Progress Report - September 30, 1951) illustrates the disparity 
between aerial and ground surveys in the ratio of diving ducks (on open water) to 
puddle ducks (in heavy cover), in the total population. With increasing familiarity 
and more ground and boat checks we will reach a much firmer basis for determination 
of species composition on various breeding areas. 
Success of the Season 
The nesting success on the Yukon Delta did not differ materially from that 
of previous years. The storm and tide action flooding in early August, however, 
illustrates the precarious position of delta waterfowl should such flooding occur 
earlier in the season. Heavy predation by the large gulls, particularly the glaucous 
gull, on goslings continued. Gull predation is increased by banding operations and 
it is an important factor even on undisturbed portions of the goose grounds. Obser- 
vations this year seem to indicate that localized gull control has thinned the gull 
population somewhat in specific local areas. 
Parasitic infestations particularly intestinal worms apparently constitute 
a wide-spread and perhaps relatively constant drain on young waterfowl. Mr. 
Schiller expressed amazement that some of the birds could continue to function in 
view of the great number and volume of intestinal worms. He believes that the 
parasites must contribute greatly to the mortality of the birds. 
