189 
Aerial Census 
There was a reduction in the number of miles that were sampled in 1953. This 
was the result of eliminating the Cache County transect and reducing the size of the 
Sevier River sample. The Sevier River samples are not used in Table I because of 
the use of ground instead of aerial counts this year. The Weber County transect was 
increased 1.1 square miles. In most of the important waterfowl producing areas of 
the State, the count of breeding birds was less than the previous year. The following 
table gives a summary of the results of the aerial survey in 1954, 
Table I. - Total Ducks Counted by Area and Square Mile as Determined From 
Aerial Surveys - 1953 and 1954, 

Square Miles Total Ducks Ducks Per 
Sampled Counted Square Mile 
Route 1953 1954 1953 1954 1953 1954 
Box Elder County 48.0 48.0 2,946 2, 752 64.5 57.3 
Weber County 14.4 15.5 2,068 1,100 143.6 70.9 
Davis County 14,2 14.2 386 330 27.2 oat Pe 
Jordan River Clubs 6.2 6.2 670 809 108.0 130.5 
Salt Lake County 6.7 6.7. 101 36 15.0 5.4 
Utah County 18.0 18.0 199 211 11.0 11.7 
Total 107.5 108.6 6,370 5,238 59.2 48.2 
The decrease in the number of ducks on the breeding grounds of Utah was probably 
due to the drought conditions that prevailed this year. A large portion of the marshy 
areas that are normally wet were quite dry when the census was taken. 
Mallard and Redhead were the most abundant species of ducks counted on the 
aerial survey with. Cinnamon teal being next most abundant. 
- Ground Census 
Ground counts on key State waterfowl refuges of lone males, lone females, and 
pairs indicate that there has been a decrease on these areas. Ogden Bay has had an 
increase in Mallard, Shoveler, Cinnamon teal, and Canada Goose. Redheads have 
decreased in numbers over previous years. Farmington Bay and Public Shooting 
Grounds have had large drops in breeding population which is due in part to construction 
work during the nesting season on those areas, 
