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Results 
Ducks - A summary of the 1954 breeding pair counts is compared in Table [ 
with counts from previous years. Comparison between 1954 and 1953 counts from 
five areas shows that breeding pair numbers were down 26 percent this year. How- 
ever, it should be pointed out that counts from North Park and South Park were not 
completely comparable with similar counts in 1953 due to a change-over from ground 
to aerial surveys in South Park, and because only two crewmen were used on the 
aerial count in North Park where normally a crew of three is used. Thus, one 
crewman had to fly the airplane and also observe; because of the rough topography 
much attention had to be given to flying, and accurate counts were not possible, 
Eliminating these areas from the comparison results in a decrease of only 12 percent 
from 1953, and this is believed to be the best comparison between the two years. 
Contrasting counts between 1954 and 1952 on these areas, shows a reduction 
of only one percent in 1954. Thus, it is believed that duck breeding pair number in 
1954 were near normal, and not significantly different from what can usually be 
expected in this State despite the shortage of water. 
Brood counts show the effect of the critical shortage of water throughout the 
State on production. Although some areas produced about the same number of birds 
as past years, total estimated State numbers are down about 19 percent from 1952, 
and almost 37 percent from 1953. These data do not include brood counts from the 
San Luis Valley which reportedly is suffering one of its worst drouths in history. 
This is substantiated by results of a nesting study on the Monte Vista National Wild- 
life Refuge conducted by Biologist Fleetwood, Fish and Wildlife Service, which 
indicates that only 34 percent of the attempted nests successfully hatched. 
Species composition of all 1954 breeding pair counts is tabulated in Table II. 
This is also believed to be the best estimate of species composition for production, as 
brood counts were made too early in the season to sample all species in their true 
proportions, 
Geese - Breeding pair counts of geese in the Yampa Valley and Brown's Park 
also show some reduction in number between 1954 and the two previous years. This 
amounts to a 17 percent decrease in 1954 from both these years. 
Brood counts in these areas were made too late this year to adequately 
determine goose production; thus, no gathered data are available in 1954 for comparison 
with the two previous years. It is believed, however, that production conditions in 
1954 most nearly approximate those of 1953; therefore, even with smaller breeding 
populations, production of young was probably somewhat greater than during the poor 
year of 1952, 
Summary 
1954 breeding ground conditions in Colorado were generally characterized by 
a critical shortage of water throughout the State. Not only was stored moisture in 
the high mountains from 50 to 60 percent of normal last winter, but most lakes, 
