GENTRAL FLYWAY 
The January 1957 survey of waterfowl wintering grounds did not include 
Mexico this year. On the basis of coverage within the United States only, it would 
appear that there was a considerable loss of ducks, geese and coot in the Central 
Flyway (-45 percent, -36 percent, and -50 percent respectively). However, the 
loss took place largely in Texas, which was in poor condition by reason of drought. 
The implication is trong that the birds moved into Mexican wintering areas where 
they were not counted. This implication is supported by the fact that the breeding 
areas supplying the flyway did not show much change this year in breeding popula- 
tion as compared to a year ago. Although there were small decreases in most of 
the Central Flyway States and in southern Saskatchewan, there were increases in 
Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. Although the increases did not balance the 
decreases entirely, the reduction in breeding population was small. 
Much of the Central Flyway breeding range was characterized by drought 
during the 1957 season. Fortunately, many areas were dry when the birds moved 
northward and were thus avoided. Also, the season was early in most places and 
many of the early nesters were successful in bringing off a brood before water 
conditions became critical. 
The July production surveys reveal that there has been an increase in the 
production of the early nesting species in the southern portions of Alberta, 
Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and in South Dakota and Nebraska. Production is fore- 
cast to be above last year in the northern portions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 
Decreases are forecast for northern Alberta, the Northwest Territories, North 
Dakota, Montana, and Colorado, 
However, habitat conditions in most of the important breeding areas are 
unfavorable. for last nesting species and for re-nesting. By reason of the necessity 
for terminating production surveys on about July 25, it is not possible to obtain a 
measure of the success of late nesters, and it is significant to note that the evi- 
dence of re-nesting on the part of early nesters was at an all-time low during July 
this year. It seems possible, therefore, that the deterioration in habitat conditions 
during July this year may reduce total production to less than last year in spite of 
the fact that the July brood index increased in several important areas. 
Over-all, a summation of the field reports indicates that there should be 
no change in the fall flight of ducks in the Central Flyway as compared to 1956, 
with some possibility of a decrease as outlined above, particularly among the late 
nesting species. 
On the basis of a decrease in the breeding population of geese as meas-~ 
ured by the winter survey, it is estimated that there will be a small decrease in 
the fall flight of this group. 
Coot production has been above average and in spite of a decrease in the 
breeding population, it is estimated that there will be a small increase in the fall 
flight. 

