135 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN OREGON 
William B. Morse 
Introduction 
The 1952 waterfowl survey was undertaken for the fourth consecutive year. 
Samples were located in most sections of the State on permanent sample areas. 
Methods Used in Sampling 
All census measurements are made by district game biologists and are on 
permanent sample areas. As experience is gained the areas of census are changed. 
Other duties of the game biologists do not permit these samples to be as 
consistent as desirable, however, data from comparable periods are combined for 
comparitive purposes. Transect. methods are used throughout by both foot and car. 
Fewer samples were taken than in past years and for this reason the data are not 
as reliable. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Weather and water conditions were generally very satisfactory. Substantial 
amounts of rain fell during June and early July, but did not interfere with nesting 
or broods. Spring runoff throughout most of Eastern Oregon was near record, In 
certain areaS many goose nests and some duck nests flooded out. Throughout the 
desert areas potholes were flooded and greatly increased production occurred. 
Birds were dispersed, and this fact accounts for lowered production on some 
samples. 
Breeding Population Trends 
. Breeding population trends are shown in Table I. The following changes 
from 1951 were noted: 
Ducks 
Western Oregon + 74 percent 
Eastern Oregon + 53 percent 
State-wide (estimated) + 20 percent 
Canada Goose 
Eastern Oregon + 48 percent 
After four years of taking breeding population inventories some question has 
arisen regarding the suitability of the methods to Oregon conditions. It is believed 
that many migrant birds are to be found during this inventory period. No consistent 
correlation can be drawn between the breeding population census and subsequent 
brood censuses. 
