24 
Data gathered on the ground survey of the Upper Columbia Valley in early June 
are contained in the following table. 
Table V. - Comparative Counts - Upper Columbia Valley - Spring. 

Species 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1954 
Canada goose (nests) 23 17 20 22 18 4 
Mallard 172 87 94 85 62 6 
Pintail 1 3 2 5 z, = 
Baldpate 13 9 6 8 9 6 
Green-winged teal - 4 1 4 zZ l 
Blue -winged teal 4 21 5 6 rA - 
Cinnamon teal 2 2 2 = a l 
Shoveler - - z 2 3 - 
Wood duck - - é 4 - - 
Redhead - - 2 12 18 7 
Ring -necked 13 2 3 1 6 2 
Lesser Scaup - - 3 13 5 12 
Golden-eye 73 19 47 42 35 26 
Bufflehead 19 14 18 16 8 10 
-Ruddy - - - 1 9 - 
Hooded merganser - - 3 7 - 4 
Total Ducks 297 161 192 206 154 75 
Total Coots 84 45 30 50 20 34 
The above data suggest that there was a drastic reduction in the breeding popula- 
tion since 1952. It was felt, however, that this was not the case. Water levels had 
risen some eight feet during May, and the whole valley floor was covered with water. 
Sloughs and channels were continuous, and it was possible to travel anywhere by 
canoe, subject only to the barriers of dense vegetation. It was felt that this flooding 
resulted in considerable dispersion of birds, thereby reducing the number on any one 
of our check areas. 
Examination of breeding population data from all sample areas in the province, 
sugegested that there had been a decrease of about 9 percent in the number of breeding 
ducks in British Columbia this year as compared with 1952, Mallards appeared in 
about one-third of their 1952 numbers, Pintail, Baldpate, and Shoveler held their 
own, while most of the diving ducks stayed at about their 1952 population level or 
showed a noticeable increase. The coot was observed in greater numbers than ever 
recorded on the check areas. 
