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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY, OREGON, 1954 
Chester E. Kebbe 
Introduction 
Waterfowl breeding ground surveys in Oregon were carried on for the sixth 
consecutive year. Most of the work was carried on in the large marsh areas in the 
southeastern part of the State: Summer Lake, Warner Valley and the Klamath basin. 
Certain species of waterfowl nest throughout the State but, except for the large 
marshes of southeastern Oregon, the streams, potholes and small marshes are not 
of major importance. Collectively, however, they are vital to the overall waterfowl 
breeding survey picture. Personnel are not available for carrying on intensive 
investigations in such places. 
Methods of Sampling 
All survey work was by the transect method. No aerial surveys were run. 
Sampling was done for continuity on the same areas as in previous years. No attempt 
has been made to count total numbers of breeding birds for the State or to estimate 
total reproduction. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
During the spring the weather was cold with a preat deal of overcast, retarding 
nesting of most species two to three weeks. Despite the late season, excellent 
reproduction was noted. Late in the summer many of the marsh arezs were drying 
up due to little spring run-off and no summer precipitation. 
Breeding Population Trends 
‘Counts of breeding pairs were again taken but the facts obtained are more 
confusing than of practical value. Mallards, the primary breeding species, nest 
throughout the spring months even whey many of the migrants are still present, 
Other species which do not nest in the State or are rare nesters, were very abundant 
as late as June 1. Any breeding gramd sample taken prior to that date was bound to 
be loaded with migrants, yet mallard broods were common prior to that time. 
Success of the Season 
Canada goose production was down slightly in the Klamath basin but up in 
Warner Valley and at Summer Lake. Duck reproduction was normal. 
