35 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEYS OF SPECIAL STUDY 
AREAS IN ALBERTA, 1954 
Allan G. Smith and Harry R. Webster 
Introduction 
The intensive ground study areas in Alberta were established with the follow- 
ing objectives in mind: (1) to determine the accuracy with which the contribution of 
ducks from specific study areas to the fall flight can be forecast on June 15 and 
August 1, and (2) to determine the relative importance, or relationship, of the 
various factors such as breeding population, broods, water, etc. , to the fall flight. 
Description of the Areas 
A general description of the study areas including their soil characteristics 
and vegetative aspects was presented in Waterfowl Populations and Breeding 
Conditions, Summer 1952, Special Scientific Report: Wildlife No. 21, and will not 
be repeated here. a a ee = — = 
Methods and Personnel 
The four study areas established in 1953 were the subject of further study 
this year. The areas and biologists assigned to each are listed below: 
Area 1 - Brooks-Suffield - Mr. Fred Sharp, Ducks Unlimited (Canada) 
Area 2 - Calgary-Strathmore - Mr. George Freeman, Ducks Unlimited 
(Canada) 
Area 3 - Lousana-Elnora - Messrs. Wayne H. Heuer, U. S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and Dennis Weisser, Alberta 
Game Branch 
Area 4 - Vermilion - Messrs. Harry Webster and David Hurst, Canadian 
Wildlife Service | 
Aerial surveys of all study areas were made by G. H. Jensen and Allen G. 
Smith. 
The data contained in this report are a compilation of the work of the men 
listed above. Without their services little ground data would have been gathered. 
The biologists working on Areas III and IV were resident on the areas in question, 
while the biologists working on Areas I and II made periodic visits to the areas as 
necessary for gathering breeding pair, brood and nest information. 
The methods of conducting the study this year were identical with thos 
described in the report of Waterfowl Populations and Breeding Conditions, Summer 
1953, Special Scientific Report: Wildlife No. 25. | 
