119 
WATERFOWL BREEDING SURVEY IN NEWFOUNDLAND 
Leslie M. Tuck 
Introduction 
The objectives of this survey were to determine the status of breeding 
waterfowl in the island of Newfoundland by examining representative areas. 
Three areas of the Southern Shore (50 miles SE of St. John's) totalling 
5 square miles were considered representative of that portion of the Avalon 
Peninsula. One square mile, comprising a large pond and several gullies at 
Whitbourne, was selected as a sample of the interior of the Avalon Peninsula, and 
3 square miles of the Dunn's River section (Swift Current) as a typical example of 
the transition zone between the Avalon Peninsula and the main body of the Island. 
These 3 areas were examined during the period from May 14 to May 22. 
The main body of the Island was sampled by air from May 31 to June 1. 
Aerial transects were run across Dunn's River, which had previously been 
examined from the ground, across the interior of the Island, which contained 
numerous bog ponds still containing ice on June 1, and across Sandy Lake and 
the upper reaches of the Humber River which are typical portions of the West 
Coast. 
Methods 
On the larger ponds and on Dunn's River a canoe was used to good 
advantage. All other areas in the ground survey were covered by foot. Binoculars 
were used throughout the field work. 
A Beaver aircraft was used for the aerial work which was conducted ata 
height averaging 80 feet with a ground speed of 90 mph. Although geese could be 
picked up clearly at a much greater altitude, the varying habitats require low 
altitude and slow flying for specific identification. It is believed that some of the 
diving ducks, the goldeneye in particular, sometimes dived at the critical moment 
and thus escaped being counted from the aircraft. A tape recorder was used to 
very good advantage during this phase of the survey. , 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Phenologically, the spring of 1952 was similar in most respects to that of 
1950, but a thick blanket of snow which fell late on the higher portions of the centre 
of the Island had not completely disappeared by June 1. The area so affected had 
a low population of breeding waterfowl, but it is believed that this is normal. 
Spring arrived on the West Coast (i.e. the Humber) 2 weeks ahead of the interior 
and Southern Shore areas, and on parts of the South Coast (Swift Current) it was a 
week ahead. This is considered a normal condition caused by oceanic winds and 
probably does not affect the breeding conditions of the waterfowl on the Island. A 
brood of black ducks was recorded on May 16 which compares favourably with 
other more advanced spring seasons. 
Because of late snows, the ponds and lakes maintained high levels up to 
early summer. 
