ATLANTIC FLYWAY 
The annual January survey in 1957 in the Atlantic Flyway 
indicated a loss of about one-fifth of the wintering birds in the flyway as 
compared to 1956. The black duck and mallard remained about the same 
with the losses occurring mainly in scaup, coot, Canada geese, pintail, 
and canvasback. 
In the breeding areas supplying the flyway, there were de- 
creases in the breeding population in the Maritimes, Michigan, Minnesota, 
North Dakota, South Dakota, and southern Saskatchewan. Increases were 
recorded in the Northeastern States, Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan, 
and Ontario. A breeding population survey was not conducted this year in 
the Quebec-Labrador area. Over-all, the Atlantic Flyway breeding popu- 
lation decreased slightly, but not ta the extent indicated by the winter 
survey in January. The reason for the discrepancy is not well understood. 
Weather and water conditions in the eastern part of the 
continent were from satisfactory to pood. In the prairie breeding areas 
drought prevailed, although it is difficult at present to evaluate the effect 
the dry conditions will have on the total season's production. The season 
was early in the prairies and there was a good hatch among the early 
nesters. Field crews were anticipating that the fall flight will be about 
the same as last year from Alaska, southern Saskatchewan, and South 
Dakota. Increases aré expected from northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, 
Ontario, and the Northeastern States. Decreases are expected from the 
Northwest Territories, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and the 
Maritimes. | | 
Over-all, it is estimated that the fall flight of ducks will 
remain about the same as last year, with some possibility of a small 
decrease if the drought in the prairies adversely affects the success of 
late nesters. 
‘On the basis of a considerable reduction in the breeding 
population of Canada geese, as determined by the winter survey, it is 
estimated that there will be a small decrease in the fall flight of this 
species, 
Coot production has been excellent and it is estimated that 
there will be a small increase in the fall flight of this species. 
The wintering population of brant remained unchanged as 
compared to 1956. On this basis it is estimated that there will be nochange 
in the fall flight of this species. 
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