AERIAL SURVEYS IN WESTERN ONTARIO, NORTHERN MANITOBA, NORTHERN 
SASKATCHEWAN, AND THE DISTRICTS OF MACKENZIE AND KEEWATIN, 1952 
E. G. Wellein, D. G. Colls, and R. D. Harris 
In the past it has been extremely difficult to find time during the waterfowl 
breeding ground surveys in Canada to visit and explore the more inaccessible areas 
in the Provinces and the Districts. It was not possible to make the routine surveys 
on the areas of high waterfowl population densities and have time left to do the 
exploration necessary to extend our knowledge of breeding conditions and population 
densities in the far north. For this reason another aircraft, a Piper Cub was used 
this spring on the surveys in southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, This released 
the Grumman Widgeon for use in the more inaccessible areas. 
The purpose of the surveys was to obtain quantitative data on waterfowl 
breeding population densities and distribution in a number of areas heretofore 
inaccessible in the Provinces and the far north, and to obtain other general informa- 
tion which would strengthen our knowledge of breeding conditions in these areas, 
Personnel who participated in the survey work are as follows: 
R. D. Harris (Canadian Wildlife Service) acted as observer 
on the survey work in western Ontario. 
A. S. Hawkins (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) observer in 
northern Saskatchewan and the District of Mackenzie. 
D. G. Colls (Canadian Wildlife Service) observer in northern 
Manitoba and the District of Keewatin. . 
E. G. Wellein (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) pilot observer - 
all areas. 
Western Ontario 
Waterfowl transects were flown in western Ontario on May 19 to 22, with 
R. D. Harris, Canadian Wildlife Service, acting as observer. An attempt was made 
to start this survey on May 10, but the aircraft was forced down by engine failure at 
Lac du Bonnet. Asa result, time did not permit as extensive a survey in this area 
as had been planned. 
Table I summarizes the results of the 652 miles of transect that was flown. 
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