46 
May, 1954 34.7 ponds per square mile 
May, 1953 32.7 ponds per square mile 
Heavy rains continued through June and July to the extent that several 
weather stations in the southeast recorded more than 100 percent above normal 
precipiation for the April-July period. 
July, 1954 24.7 ponds per square mile 
July, 1953 22.4 ponds per square mile 
The trend in precipitation has continued through August and September: 
20 weather stations through the province have averaged 7.6 inches for those two 
months compared to a norm of 3 inches. 
Breeding Population Trend 
A summary of the aerial spring survey is presented in Table I (1953-54 
totals by strata), Table II (1953-154 over-all species indices) and Table III (1954 
species indices by strata). Chart I gives a comparison with 1951, 1952 and 1953 of 
significant data used for forecasting purposes (as of June 1), based on this survey. 
For the third consecutive year southern Saskatchewan's breeding population 
has been recorded at twicethe highest level of the previous four years. 
May, 1954 19.9 pairs per square mile (aerial figure) 
May, 1953 16,4 pairs per square mile (aerial figure) 
In species composition, as well as in size, the 1954 population was apparently 
almost identical with that of 1953. Mallards and pintails again made up 70 percent 
of the identified populations. Blue-winged teal were up and canvasbacks were down, 
but it is felt that this is because the figures for these two species were distorted in 
1953 because of the mid-May freeze.. 
The survey was delayed until May 10 this year because of the presence of. 
migrating swans, geese and ducks in the southern part of the province, Many lakes 
in the area were still ice-bound in mid-May. 
In order to check on whether northbound transients had been counted and 
whether late arrivals from, the south had been missed during the regular survey, those 
transects covered from May 10 - 13 were flown again at the end of the month. No 
Significant changes were recorded. 
