Breeding Ground Surveys 
NORTHERN ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Phenologically the season was about two weeks late and although ice was 
present on much of the water area there was still enough open water to holda 
breeding population of waterfowl at the time of our survey. Ice in the rivers went 
out in a very quiet and orderly manner, consequently there was no flooding of the 
delta areas. Temperatures during the survey period were above normal and 
although a late start was indicated nesting conditions should have been satisfactory 
once started. 
The amount of surface water in the north is, in our opinion, a constant 
factor that varies little from year to year.. Water levels may fluctuate consider- 
ably but effect the quality rather than the amount of surface water--high levels 
being detrimental in reducing the extent of marshy borders. This year levels 
were about normal and were ideal for nesting waterfowl. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
An examination of the table will reveal the numerical status of each 
species and the changes percentagewise fram 1955. Due to changes in size of 
the strata and re-distribution of the base, it was necessary to correct the data 
collected to be he ae a with that obtained in 1955. The data are also corrected 
for missing hens. 
~The lone drake factor for 1956 is 41.6 percent as compared with 45.5 
percent for last. year, a reduction.of approximately 4 percent. This probably has 
little significance since the nesting success throughout most of the north is 
predicated ona "one try'' basis anyway. However, it may be indicative of the 
late season. 
This is the first time in several years that we have recorded an increase 
in the waterfowl breeding population in the north, and while the increase in ducks 
in general may not be significant since we are only attempting to measure changes 
within a 20 percent error, it nevertheless indicates a leveling out of the down- 
ward trend due probably to the deflection of the northern breeding population to 
the prairies. 
Game ducks as a group increased 16 percent in the survey area, while 
all ducks increased'18 percent. This slight indicated increase, with the late 
season being taken into consideration, should probably be interpreted as "no 
change''. As mentioned previously, however, mallards, pintails, green-winged 
teal and geese did show substantial gains and can be counted upon to contribute 
in greater measure to the flyways than in the past several years. 
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