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WATERFOWL BREEDING POPULATION AND PRODUCTION STUDIES 
NEWDALE-ERICKSON STUDY AREA - MANITOBA, 1954 
Gerald Pospichal, Barclay M. Cram and Glen Parsons 
Introduction 
This report covers the complete summer's work on the Newdale-Erickson 
Study Area from May 1 to August 15, 1954. The methods employed in making the 
population counts and the production studies were those developed by A. S. Hawkins 
and William Kiel. Both methods used and the area worked are described in Special 
Scientific Reports for 1949 and 1951. (Copies of the transect and study pothole 
descriptions are on file in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the maps of the area.) 
The purposes of the study were as follows: 
1. To gather data on the spring waterfowl breeding populations and 
information on production trends, for use ‘by the Regulations 
Committees of the United States and Canada. 
2. To supplement aerial survey findings with emphasis on species 
composition, age class composition and brood size. 
3. Added emphasis was placed on air-ground comparisons of 
individual potholes. This phase of the study will be covered by 
Flyway Biologist Evans in his report. 
4. Nesting studies were confined to over-water nesters and only 
on the 120 study areas. The data gathered was not sufficient for 
any conclusions so it is not covered in this report but remains on 
file in Minneapolis. 
5. To assist in the studies, all transects were completely mapped 
and all potholes were assigned a number for future work. 
The initial run of the study transects was made in the company of A. S. Hawkins 
who briefed us on the methods of the survey. The breeding population counts and 
mapping were conducted by Glen Parsons, Manitoba Game Branch, Barclay Cram, 
Manitoba Game Branch and Gerald Pospichal, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Population studies were continued by Cram and Pospichal. Valuable advice and 
assistance in conducting the summer's studies and in preparation of reports were 
rendered by William Kiel, Alex Dzubin, University of Wisconsin, and C. D. Evans, 
Flyway Biologist, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
