112 
| Laie 
COOPERATIVE WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN 
ONTARIO, NORTHERN MANITOBA, AND NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN 
1954 
Edward G. Wellein 
Introduction 
This report covers the aerial survey work accomplished during the summer 
of 1954 in the Provinces of Ontario, Northern Manitoba, and Northern Saskatchewan. 
The habitat involved in this survey is, genrally speaking, of a low waterfowl breeding 
population density when compared to the prairie pothole region. This habitat is so 
extensive, however, that in the apggrepate it contributes very materially to the total 
continental waterfowl population, and, therefore, must be considered in the evaluation 
of the population. To expedite and organize the survey work the habitat has been 
divided into strata or sampling zones. Siratum C is described as the closed forest 
zone and extended over the three Provinces involved. Stratum D is, specifically, 
the Saskatchewan River delta, which is located both in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 
Stratum E is the open forest tundra zone, which also extends through all three 
Provinces, 
The primary objective of the survey this year, as in the past, was the collection 
of quantitative data on waterfowl breeding populations during May for use by the 
Waterfowl Regulations Committees of Canada and the United States in determining 
waterfowl regulations. Another objective was to attempt to measure the success of 
the breeding population by conducting an aerial brood survey during the month of July. 
This year the aerial survey work was divided into two parts--the breeding pair 
survey, which was conducted during May, and the production survey, which was 
conducted during July. The breeding pair survey was begun on May 11 this spring. 
Practically all lakes were still frozen over and snow or mud kept many of the air- 
fields closed to traffic. Operation of aircraft was therefore difficult as well as 
hazardous, and refueling facilities were at a minimum. Two aircraft were used on 
the May survey. One, a Grumman Widgeon, flown by Mr. Crissey and Mr. Glover, 
both of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, accounted for 241 square miles of 
sample in that portion of the Province of Ontario east of Kapuskasing, and the remainder 
of the coverage was made in a Grumman Goose aircraft flown by the writer, with 
Roe Meyer, U. S. Game Management Agent, as observer. Approximately 90 hours 
of flying time, including the deadheading, was required with the Goose to complete 
the May survey, and 80 hours for the July survey, which was made entirely with the 
Goose. 
The beginning of the production survey was delayed beyond the intended starting 
date because of aircraft propeller trouble. In past years surveys were begun about 
July 10, but this year the first transect was flown on July 16. Considering the lateness 
of the season it is entirely possible that the brood survey was started too early because 
the phenology of the season was much retarded as compared to the past five years. 
