
SOUTHERN SASKATCHEWAN ~- Continued 
decline from a high of 3,793,700 in 1955. All strata showed 
major declines, the strata in the southeast and southwest were 
in the poorest conditions. As we progressed north conditions 
improved, particularly in stratum B-East, however, they were 
still far worse than they had been last year or the previous 
seven years. 
Habitat conditions for raising young ducks were poor. 
Little or no marsh vegetation was present early in the season 
for cover and wide mid flats at water edges added to the hazards. 
Predation was reported by ground observers as heavy on nests in 
all areas. 
Breeding Population Indices 
: The overall breeding population index this year stood 
at 3,171,800 compared to 5,193,900 a year. ago, a loss of over two 
million birds. Percentage-wise it was down 39 percent from last 
year. Both the dabblers and divers were down 40 percent and 27 
percent, respectively. In addition, both dabblers and divers, 
as well as all ducks were down significantly from the nine-year 
average, 
Mallards for the first time in the last eight years 
showed a significant drop, 41 percent from last year. Of the 
dabblers only gadwall showed an increase. Of divers, scaup, 
canvasback, and redheads showed a positive decline of more than 
20 percent. Ringneck and ruddy duck were up more than 20 
percent. Pintails continued a decline from a high of 1,969,500 
in 1956 to 383,800 this year. This is a 51 percent decrease 
from 1958 and a 68 percent decline from the nine-year average. 
Coots were showing a 12 percent increase this year which can be 
considered a no change situation. 
A comparison of this year's population index was made 
with the four-year average of 1949 through 1952. It is of 
interest to note that we are now at a level, in waterfowl popula- | 
tions in southern Saskatchewan, which compares to that period 
about 1949 through 1952. With the exception of mallards and one 
or two other species, the bulk of the ducks are about the same 
or below those years' levels. = 
For other comparative data note Tables 1 through 4. 
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