MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
The 1958 winter survey in the Mississippi Flyway showed little 
change in population of ducks and geese as compared to 1957. The wintering 
population of coot increased considerably although the number of coot 
wintering in the Mississippi Flyway is relatively small. 
On the breeding grounds, surveys during May and June revealed 
small increases in breeding population in southern Alberta, southern 
Manitoba, Alaska, Northwest Territories, Ontario, and South Dakota. De- 
creases were recorded through Saskatchewan, in northern Manitoba, and in 
North Dakota. The increases exceeded the decreases to the extent that 
there was a small increase in the breeding population of ducks in the. 
areas supplying the Flyway. 
Beginning in 1956 a drying trend developed in the breeding range 
supplying most of the birds to the Mississippi Flyway. The drought con- 
tinued and intensified during the summer of 1958, particularly in the 
important southern Saskatchewan breeding area. The number of water areas 
available to the birds was much below the average of the past few years 
throughout the southern portions of the Prairie Provinces and in the 
Dakotas. There was a lack of rainfall in northern breeding habitat also, 
but in the far north drought rarely affects the number of water areas and 
in many instances the conditions associated with lowered rainfall are 
favorable to waterfowl production. Fortunately, during June and July 
general rains occurred in southern Alberta and southern Manitoba suf- 
ficient to halt the drying trend and provide sufficient water in most 
localities to carry broods through to maturity. In southern Saskatchewan 
the first general rain occurred on July 12 and 13. Although water con- 
ditions were improved, the rain came too late to help the broods of some 
early nesters. 
The July surveys revealed an increased production of broods in 
both southern Alberta and southern Manitoba. Production was good also in 
South Dakota. On the basis of a large increase in breeding population 
and favorable weather conditions in the Northwest Territories it is 
anticipated that production will increase in this important area as well. 
On the other hand, drought conditions were severe enough in southern 
Saskatchewan and North Dakota that there were marked reductions in brood 
production. Decreased production is expected also from Michigan and 
Missouri. Fall flight is expected to be about the same as last year 
from Minnesota. 
Overall, it is anticipated that the increases will balance the 
decreases and that the fall flight of puddle ducks in the Mississippi Fly- 
way will remain about the same as in 1957. 
Diving ducks appear to be less versatile in adapting themselves 
to adverse habitat conditions than puddlers and it is estimated that the 
drought conditions will result in a decrease in the fall flight of this 
group of species. 
On the basis of no change in the wintering population of geese 
in the Flyway it is estimated that the fall flight of this group of 
species will remain about the same as last year. 
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