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Production of redheads and canvasbacks was about double that of the previous 
season. Nesting mallards and gadwalls displayed an unusual tendency to seek out 
old stubble fields some distance from the water, and a number of nests were 
found from 3/4 to 1-1/2 miles from the refuge pools. 
The nesting season at the Sand Lake Refuge in South Dakota was a successful 
one. Data compiled last season indicate that there was a density of 5.08 duck 
broods per mile of shoreline with an average brood size of 6.0. The total production 
was approximately 2,300 ducks. This season's data show that there was an average 
of 6.5 broods of ducks per mile of shoreline, with an average brood size of 6.9, and 
that about 3,375 ducks were produced. The season was characterized by a large 
increase in the number of breeding pintails. Several broods of Canada geese were 
observed. There were fewer coots nesting on the refuge during the past summer 
than there were in 1950 and 1951. 
Nesting activities at the Waubay Refuge, South Dakota were begun two weeks 
earlier this season than last. Blue-winged teal were the most numerous nesters 
and brood producers. Mallards and gadwalls were present in about the same numbers 
as last year. While pintails and redheads showed an increase in the number of nesting 
pairs, there was no increase in the number of broods produced. Canvasbacks and 
baldpates were seen occasionally, and American goldeneyes showed a definite increase 
in nesting. In spite of high water levels flooding several nesting sites, 11 broods of 
Canada geese were produced. There was also a slight increase in the number of coots 
neSting on the refuge. 
Pacific Flyway 
Favorable weather conditions and water levels contributed to a successful 
nesting season on the Lower Klamath Refuge. Gadwalls, mallards and redheads, 
in that order, were the principal nesters, while there were lesser numbers of 
shovelers, pintails, scaup, ruddies, and cinnamon teals. About 300 pairs of breeding 
Canada geese were observed, and numerous broods of coots were seen, There was 
some loss of waterfowl due to botulism and to predation by gulls. 
Generally, weather conditions were favorable at the Tule Lake Refuge except 
for a late spring. Field surveys indicated a breeding population of 4,000 pairs of 
ducks and more than 200 pairs of Canada geese. Redheads were by far the most 
numerous nesters, followed by ruddies, mallards, gadwalls and cinnamon teals 
with lesser numbers of scaup, pintails, blue-winged teals and shovelers. The first 
brood of Canada geese was not seen until two weeks later than normal, Botulism 
accounted for the loss of some waterfowl, and there was some predation by gulls. 
Waterfowl nesting was not quite so good on the Camas Refuge in Jefferson 
County, Idaho, as in former years. Redheads and mallards were the most numerous 
nesters with lesser numbers of gadwalls, canvasbacks, ruddies, pintails, shovelers, 
teal and scaup. Canada goose broods were conspicuous by their absence, and it is 
believed that flood conditions prevented the geese from nesting. 
The goose nesting survey begun 3 years ago on the Snake River Refuge, Idaho 
was made this year on April 14, 15 and 16. The survey included all the islands from 
the Walters Ferry bridge to Olds Ferry, Oregon, which is a distance of approximately 
115 river miles. A total of 204 nests was found this year, as compared to 146 a year 
ago. Of the 204 nests located, 46 were within the area comprising the Snake River 
