WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN NEBRASKA - 1952 
Harvey W. Miller 
Introduction 
The Nebraska Breeding Ground Survey has been conducted for the fifth 
consecutive year. This survey is aimed at providing indicators ta the waterfowl 
population through measuring the seasonal and year by year trends in breeding 
numbers and production success. The survey recognizes the sandhill region as 
the most important waterfowl-producing area of Nebraska and therefore, studies 
have been largely concentrated there. 
Methods of Sampling and Area Covered 
The sandhills are sub-divided into three main waterfowl producing areas and 
for the purpose of this survey, these are sampled as the western, central and 
eastern areas. The samples are taken over ground routes using the one-fourth 
mile transect method. Aerial counts made by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Game 
Management Division and the Nebraska Game Commission in former years were 
discontinued for the 1952 season. One aerial count was made over the central 
sandhills by the Fish and Wildlife Service, River Basin Studies (Grand Island Office). 
All ground counts are made from autos using binoculars and spotting scopes 
to aid identification. The roads and trails over which the counts are made generally 
follow valleys and skirt the dry roughs. This limits the data to use as trend 
indicators only. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The 1951 season was the wettest of the past several decades. The carry- 
over from this resulted in high lake levels and numerous potholes at the outset of 
the 1952 breeding season. Indications are that in mid-April, available water area 
was nearly double that of a normal year. 
The 1952 season has experienced near drought conditions over the sandhills 
in general with high temperatures and high winds starting in May and continuing 
until mid-September. Rainfall has been scant or entirely lacking over the entire 
area, 
Results were that by mid-May pothole numbers were about that of a normal 
year and that by mid-June, less than ten percent of the potholes had water in them. 
Local residents reported that the total water area available to a waterfowl population 
at the time of the breeding. population counts was about that of a normal year. At the 
time of the mid-July brood counts, the reports indicated somewhat less than normal 
water area and by September, some lakes were dry for the first time since the late 
1930's. 
