11 
we encountered an estimated 15,000 snow geese. These occured in groups up to 
250 in number and were composed of flying adults, flightless adults and adults with 
young. The proportion of young seemed to be quite high so apparently the hatch 
had been successful. In addition to snow geese we saw a few small flocks of adult 
black brant, a few pairs of swan, scattered eiders and old squaws and two pairs of 
little brown cranes. A few dark geese were seen but were not positively identified. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
A particularly early and dry season prevailed in northern Alberta and the 
Northwest Territories north to approximately 63 degrees latitude. North of 
63 degrees the ice in the lakes was persistent until the latter part of June. However, 
an unusually warm summer helped counteract this and the ice had completely 
disappeared by mid-July, which is earlier than normal. A severe storm brought 
snow along the Arctic coast on July 25, and on July 30 salt water was freezing 
between the ice pans at Holman Island. 
The Slave River Parklands, bordering the Slave River between Lake 
Athabaska and Great Slave Lake, was the only area where surface water was visibly 
reduced by the drought. All other areas appeared to have a normal distribution of 
surface water. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The transect sample figures for which there are comparative data are 
listed in the following tables: 
Table I - Lake Claire - Athabaska Delta, Alberta * 

1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 
Ducks per square mile 41 177.4 66.4 37.1 57.8 
Est. breeding pop. index 53, 300 230, 620 86, 320 48,230 75, 140 
% change from former years + 333 -62.6 - 44 + 56 
Percent Species Composition, 1952 
Species Percent Species . Percent 
Mallard 44.9 Canvasback Zn 3 
Pintail 19,3 Blue -winged teal 1.4 
Scaup 10,1 Bufflehead L,@ 
Baldpate 6.5 Scoters 0.9 
Shoveler 4.4 Gadwall 0.6 
Goldeneye 3.9 Ruddy 0.4 
Redhead 3.7 Green-winged teal 0.4 
* Estimated area 1,300 square miles. 
