Summation of Data 
In general, waterfowl densities were comparable to those of 1951. These 
are summarized in Table I with figures from preceding years tabulated for compar- 
ison only for those areas where the survey was such that comparisons are valid, 
Northwestern Alaska breeding density was lower on two of the Kotzebue 
Sound transects than in 1951 - by 37 and 22 percent - the third transect, Selawik, 
was 6 percent higher than last year. All Kotzebue Sound samples show a breeding 
waterfowl population below the 4-year average and materially lower than the high 
years of 1949 and 1950. This year the Upper Innoko was below 1951 and below the 
4-year average. Yukon Bottomlands density was up 56 percent over last year and 
slightly higher than the 4-year average. Although considered as part of the North- 
western Alaska waterfowl range these two areas more closely resemble Interior 
conditions, 
Breeding waterfowl density on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is 14 percent 
lower than in 1951 but approximately the same as the 4-year average. Transects 
in the goose concentration also showed a density slightly under the 138 per square 
mile in 1951. A new transect this year in another coastal goose concentration 
supported a density of slightly more than 500 brant to the square mile plus a few 
cacklers. 
In the Interior, surveys last year and this year, disclose the Fort Yukon 
Flats as one of the major waterfowl-production areas. Additional surveys including 
banding and nesting studies are tentatively planned for this area in 1953. Minto 
Lakes, Fort Yukon and Tangle Lakes, population densities are materially higher 
than 1951, while the Northway-Tetlin density was slightly lower. Long-term 
averages are not available for comparison on these areas, in contrast to western 
Alaska where the transects were started in 1949. 
The only important Gulf of Alaska coastal area sampled was the Copper 
River Flats where the breeding population was materially higher than in 1951. 
Some of this increase may be attributable to improved technique and experience 
on these transects first flown last year, the earlier survey dates may also be a 
factor. 
Although detailed nesting studies were not possible this year, the mid- 
summer ground work in connection with banding operations on the Yukon Delta, 
Minto Lakes and Copper River Flats indicates normal production. Gull predation 
continued heavy on the Yukon Delta goslings and apparently intestinal parasites are 
a more important factor on the concentrated goose grounds than previously realized. 
The threats of wide-spread nest flooding on coastal areas was graphically illustrated 
by a combination on-shore wind and high tide this summer on Yukon Delta; fortunately 
nesting was completed and no harm resulted. 
Because of the large size of Alaska and the dissimilar waterfowl habitats it 
seems desirable to segregate future reports into three or more parts: (1) Bering Sea, 
Arctic and Aleutian coastal areas; (2)Interior Alaska and (3) Prince William Sound 
and Southeast Alaska. Also improved sampling methods should be tried in order to 
increase reliability of the transects as population trend indices. The Fort Yukon 
Flats should be included in the summer nesting and banding studies. 
